Environmental, Thermal, and Mechanical Studies of SBR-Nano Aluminum Oxide Composites

Abstract

Objective: The present study looked at the abrasion characteristics of two-part matrix nanocomposites made of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and nano aluminium oxide. The wear characteristics of various forms of polymeric matrix have been sporadically studied. In the present investigation, our main aim was to synthesize rubber/nano aluminium oxide nanocomposites as possible materials in industrial applications and to evaluate environmental, thermal and mechanical properties of the composite. Methods:The formulations of the styrene-butadiene rubber compounds were reinforced with aluminum oxide nanoparticles. Mixing was performed at room temperature using two-roll mixing mill with a rotor friction ratio of 1:1.25. After the coagulation of rubber composites, rubber matrix was washed with water and dried at 70°C. SBR-nanocomposite was synthesized by emulsion polymerization method.Results: Elemental analysis results were in good agreement with the calculated values. The increased crosslink density, which resulted in increased hardness and modulus ultimately, produced the enhancement of abrasion resistance. The abrasion resistance is an essential property for the application of tire and belt. The properties were enhanced because of the higher polymer filler interactions than filler-filler interactions. The functional groups were incorporated into the polymer, and the stress is much more efficiently transferred from the polymer matrix to the inorganic filler, resulting in an increase in tensile properties. The enhanced degree of filler-polymer interaction is known for its ability to restrict the swelling ratio. The order of activation energies for SBR-nano aluminum oxide nanocomposites was parallel to the order of their thermal stability. The order of reaction (n) of SBR-nano aluminum oxide composite was 0.40. Conclusion:All the nanocomposites are potential candidates to prepare SBR rubber hybrid composites.