Crack resistance improvement of rubber blend by a filler network of graphene

Abstract

Crack resistance of rubbers is of vital importance in many applications (e.g., tire and shock absorber). In this work, we demonstrate the crack resistance improvement and toughening of natural rubber-solution polymerized butadiene styrene rubber (NR-SSBR) blend by designing a filler network composed of graphene (GE). The well-dispersed GE nanosheets contact with each other and bridge the adjacent GE nanosheets based on the π-π conjugation interaction, which preferentially break upon deformation and dissipate energy before the failure of the materials. The mechanisms of energy dissipation under small and large strains were further discussed. The approach of crack-tip morphology monitoring was also applied to understand the crack resistance behavior of the rubber material. The GE network and its energy dissipation not only increase the tensile strength and toughness, but also enhance the crack resistance of the NR-SSBR by expanding the tear energy region of high cracking energy dissipation. Improvement on these properties will provide the rubber blend with better long-term sustainability in practical applications.

Wholly Biobased Polyamide Thermoplastic Elastomer‐Cellulose Nanocomposites

“…[ 37,41 ] A higher energy dissipation is beneficial for these elastomer nanocomposites to be used in shock absorption applications. [ 42 ]…”

“…[37,41] A higher energy dissipation is beneficial for these elastomer nanocomposites to be used in shock absorption applications. [42] The hysteresis ratio (h r ) is calculated by the ratio of the energy dissipation (e d ) to the energy absorption (i.e., the area below the loading curve, e a ), i.e., Equation (1) [43]…”

Incorporation and optimization of RGO and GO in SSBR/NR composites expands their applicability

“…27 Zhu et al 25 revealed that rGO could improve the mechanical properties, wet resistance and reduce the rolling resistance of SSBR/ NR composites. Similarly, Zhou et al 5 discovered that GO formed a filling network structure in the SSBR/NR rubber blend thereby improving the tensile strength and toughness of the compounded composites. Whereas rGO and GO can improve the mechanical properties of SSBR/NR composites, their electrical, thermal, rheological, and gas barrier properties are poorly understood.…”

“…Notably, graphene filled rubber composites harbor excellent mechanical properties, high specific surface area, high electron mobility, and high thermal conductivity. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Also, graphene oxide (GO) carbon layer with oxygen-containing groups including carboxyl and hydroxyl groups at the surface has been of pivotal interest to scholars. It is a promising precursor for mass production of graphene and can be synthesized in bulk quantities by reacting graphite powder with strong oxidants.…”

The Effect of Graphene Ultrasonic Coating on Recycled Rubber

“…However, the bilinear idealizations used to simplify the analysis and overcome the highly nonlinear behavior may be inadequate in some applications for instance in tall buildings experiencing tensions. [13] NR filled with graphene nanosheets dispersed in the rubber matrix has been studied in other studies [14,15] to demonstrate toughening and crack improvement. The nanocomposite was studied under tensile loading and unloading cycles and it was shown that the graphene filler has a remarkable effect on increasing the energy dissipation and the crack resistance of the composite.…”