Influence of nanosilica on properties of NR/EPDM composites

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, the impacts of nanosilica on the properties of natural rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber blends (NR/EPDM; 70/30 phr/phr) were examined. Utilising the melt compounding method, the composites were developed. The effects of thioctic acid (TA) on the surface modification of silica (SiO2) are compared to those of bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide (TESPT)/polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (TWEEN-20) on the curing, mechanical, tensile and compression set, and swelling properties of nanocomposites in this study. In NR/EPDM composites, the nanosilica made from rice husk ash was employed as reinforcing nanofiller. For the production of rubber composites, the interaction at the interface between the nanosilica and the NR/EPDM matrix is essential. The 2:1 ratio between TESPT and TWEEN-20 is maintained in this study's utilisation of TESPT and TWEEN-20 as a silica modifier. It has been found that the attributes of NR/EPDM blends are mostly influenced by the presence of TA modified nanosilica. When compared to pure NR/EPDM blends, the incorporation of TA modified nanosilica considerably increased tensile and tear strength by up to 76% and 48%, respectively. Swell measurement, abrasion resistance, and FESEM all provided additional evidence in support of these conclusions.