Composites Based on Nanosilica Filled EPDM/NBR Rubber Blends with better mechanical and swelling resistance properties

Abstract

The main inorganic component of rice husk is silica. Washing the rice husk, followed by combustion and chemical treatment, produced high-surface area amorphous extracted nanosilica (NS) and modified extracted nanosilica (mNS). It was established to reinforce a blend of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) using different amounts of mNS, specifically 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 phr. The cure properties, mechanical, physical, and swelling resistance examinations of the sulphur-cured nanocomposites were studied. The results showed that while the torques were prolonged with increasing mNS concentration, the optimum cure time (t90) and scorch time (ts2) decreased. The homogeneous distribution of nanosilica particles throughout the rubber matrices was confirmed by the FESEM micrographs. The outcomes guaranteed a discernible improvement in the nanocomposites' examined qualities.