Modified Nanoclays/Straw Fillers as Functional Additives of Natural Rubber Biocomposites

Abstract

Increasingly, raw materials of natural origin are used as fillers in polymer composites. Such biocomposites have satisfactory properties. To ensure above-average functional properties, modifications of biofillers with other materials are also used. The presented research work aimed to produce and characterize elastomeric materials with a straw-based filler and four different types of montmorillonite. The main research goal was to obtain improved functional parameters of vulcanizates based on natural rubber. A series of composites filled with straw and certain types of modified and unmodified nano-clays in various ratios and amounts were prepared. Then, they were subjected to a series of tests to assess the impact of the hybrids used on the final product. It has been shown that the addition of optimal amounts of biofillers can, inter alia, increase the tensile strength of the composite, improve damping properties, extend the burning time of the material and affect the course of vulcanization or cross-linking density.

Antioxidant and Anti–Aging Activity of Freeze–Dried Alcohol–Water Extracts from Common Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) in Elastomer Vulcanizates

“…Following the increase of ecological consciousness and environmental problems corresponding to the reduction of non-renewable materials, many researchers focused on the new natural solutions in the field of polymer technology [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ]. The purpose of conducted studies is the partial or complete replacement of synthetic polymers, rubbers and additives with renewable raw materials.…”

Potential Application of Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) as Active Fillers in Natural Rubber Biocomposites

“…[ 14 ]. Recently, many researchers have conducted studies to improve the properties of natural rubber composites in order to reduce the consumption of synthetic rubbers and polymers [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. In many cases, the improvement of this type of biocomposite was achieved by adding physically and/or chemically modified natural fibrous fillers to the rubber mixture.…”

“…On the other hand, several drawbacks occur in fiber-reinforced composites production including low processing temperature, high moisture absorption and decreased durability of a final product [ 25 ]. In order to overcome them, various chemical and physical modifications of fibers were conducted to increase filler–matrix interactions and to obtain materials with improved processing and performance properties [ 16 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

The Synergistic Effect of Dibenzyldithiocarbamate Based Accelerator on the Vulcanization and Performance of the Silica-Filled Styrene–Butadiene Elastomer

“…As the presented work focuses on examining the synergistic effect of accelerators in silica-filled SBR composites, the methodology typically used for elastomer composites was used in the research [31][32][33].…”