Curing Behaviors, Mechanical and Dynamic Properties of Composites Containing Chloroprene and Butadiene Rubbers Crosslinked with Nano-Iron(III) Oxide

Abstract

This paper discusses the curing behaviors, mechanical and dynamical properties of composites containing chloroprene rubber (CR) and butadiene rubber (BR) reinforced with mineral fillers. The iron(III) oxide nanoparticles were used as a crosslinking agent of the CR/BR blends. The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-iron(III) oxide (nano-Fe2O3) as a new crosslinking agent while producing elastomeric materials with good mechanical properties and reduced flammability. The CR/BR (chloroprene rubber/butadiene rubber) blends were filled with silicas from natural resources (chalcedony, Neuburg silica earth) or silicas used in elastomer technology in many fields (aerosil, ultrasil). The results revealed that all composites were characterized by satisfactory tensile strength, tear resistance, and high resistance to fire. The filler dispersion in the elastomer matrix was carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the possibility of the filler–filler or filler–rubber interaction in the designed compositions was determined using the Payne effect and the Mullins effect.

Cross-Linking Characteristics, Morphology, Dynamics, and Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polychloroprene/Polybutadiene/Nano-Zinc (CR/BR/nZn) Compositions with Reduced Fire Hazard

“…A characteristic feature of the tested elastomers (especially polychloroprene) is their susceptibility to thermo-cross-linking, which can limit the formation of liquid products during their combustion. The vulcanization of the CR/BR compositions in the presence of nano-sized zinc made the oxygen index (OI) comparable with the parameters determined in such compounds in our previous works [23][24][25][26][28][29][30][31][32], and only slightly higher than the OI value for similar blends cured with micro-sized zinc [32]. The obtained results indicated that the use of nano-zinc as a cross-linking substance for the CR/BR composites led to the formation of flame-retardant products.…”

“…The test was performed according to PN-ISO 4589-2. The oxygen index (OI) was calculated from Formula (7) [23][24][25][26][28][29][30][31][32]:…”

“…In addition, through the appropriate selection of rubbers, it is possible to obtain better processability of rubber blends, as well as to reduce the production costs of elastomeric goods. The unique properties of polychloroprene mean that it is often mixed with such rubbers as natural rubber [18,19]; carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber [20]; styrene-butadiene rubber [21][22][23]; and, recently, with butadiene rubber as well [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. Vulcanizates made of polychloroprene are characterized by their good tensile strength, resistance to weather conditions, thermal resistance up to 100 • C, and good resistance to ozone and non-polar solvents.…”

The Use of Copper Oxides as Cross-Linking Substances for Chloroprene Rubber and Study of the Vulcanizates Properties. Part II. The Effect of Filler Type on the Properties of CR Products

“…Tensile strength testing is by far the most popular method of evaluating filled materials [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The incorporation of fillers changes the mechanical properties of the prepared vulcanizates.…”

Enhancement of the mechanical properties of organic–inorganic hybrid elastomers by introducing movable and reversible crosslinks

“…Organic-inorganic hybrid materials have been widely applied to explore new materials and their specific features. [1][2][3] Generally, inorganic fillers, such as clay, [4][5][6][7] silica particles, [8][9][10] metal nanoparticles, [11][12][13] and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes, [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] have been used as composite materials when combined with organic polymers. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), an inorganic polymer, has excellent heat resistance, [21][22][23] transparency, 24,25 biocompatibility, 26,27 and gas permeability 28,29 characteristics; however, its mechanical properties are inferior to those of common organic polymers.…”