Natural Rubber Nanocomposites Based on New Fibrous Nanofillers With Improved Barrier Properties for Use in Tire Innerliner Applications

Abstract

Hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by predispersion of new nanofibers such as aramid nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, silicon carbide nanofibers (SiC), cellulose nanofibers, and graphite nanofibers in natural rubber (NR) latex prior to melt mixing in an internal mixer to ensure the exquisite dispersion of nanofibers in NR. The competency of these nanofibers in reinforcing NR as well as enhancing its barrier properties has not been widely investigated. The fabricated nanocomposites showed enhanced curing as well as mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. Morphology of the composites was analyzed through electron microscopy. The increase in tortuosity created by the presence of the hybrid filler system consisting of carbon black and nanofibers was studied using permeability models. At higher tearing energies, it was seen that the nanofiber-reinforced composites showed comparable crack growth properties; however, at lower energies, the fabricated composites exhibited higher crack propagation rates compared with the control compound when studied using a tear fatigue analyzer. The improved mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and barrier properties along with comparable fatigue crack growth properties offer an opportunity to apply these systems in high-end applications such as a thinner tire inner liner with a higher NR blend ratio, which can result in improved processability and reduced hysteresis, fuel consumption, and cost.

Nanofiber‐Carbon black dual filler reinforced sustainable high‐performance Natural Rubber nanocomposites

“…[23] Keeping in mind the technical relevance of dual filler systems, integrating the attractive property enhancements of nanofillers with the economic significance of fillers like carbon black, we have developed high-performance natural nanocomposites for tire-related applications. [24,25] In the present work, we have performed all the studies considering the carbon black reinforced rubber as the base material. The developed composites comprise a dual filler reinforcing system composed of novel nanofibers such as aramid nanofibers, silicon carbide nanofibers or carbon nanotubes, and carbon black.…”

Cellulose and lignin as carbon black replacement in natural rubber

“…As the deformation amplitude (dynamic oscillatory test) increases, G ′ decreases due to interactions breakdown between the filler aggregates. Therefore, higher storage modulus variation ( ∆G ′) indicates more filler‐filler interactions and higher amount of filler agglomerations in the rubber matrix 62–64 . The value of ∆ G ′ is calculated as the difference between the storage modulus at the beginning of the test ( G ′[0]) and the storage modulus at the end of the test ( G ′[∞]).…”

“…Therefore, higher storage modulus variation (ΔG 0 ) indicates more filler-filler interactions and higher amount of filler agglomerations in the rubber matrix. [62][63][64] The value of ΔG 0 is calculated as the difference between the storage modulus at the beginning of the test (G 0 [0]) and the storage modulus at the end of the test (G 0 [∞]).…”

Synergetic effect of aramid nanofiber‐graphene oxide hybrid filler on the properties of rubber compounds for tire tread application

“…The previously mentioned properties are mostly affected by the characteristics of rubber compounds for tire tread, which can be heavily dictated by choice of reinforcing nanofiller. Therefore, to meet the performance requirements for tire tread compounds, researchers have relied on fillers, including carbon black, 3 silica, 4,5 graphene oxides, [6][7][8][9] carbon nanotubes, [10][11][12] nano clays, 13,14 and nanofibers [15][16][17][18] to act as nanoscale reinforcement. Specifically, carbon black and silica have been commonly used in the industry for reinforcing rubber compounds.…”