Influence of a Hydride-Forming Multi-Component Alloy on the Carbonization Behavior of Vulcanized Elastomer Composites

Abstract

In this work, composites based on a hydride-forming fiber of a multi-principal-component (MPC) Ti20Zr20Nb20V20Hf20 alloy, carbosil, dicumylperoxide and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix were obtained. The composites were prepared in a three-stage process including the mixing of elastomeric compounds via a rubber mixing mill and low-temperature vulcanization by heat pressing. Using dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) the effect of the metallic filler on the process of carbonization of the composite elastomeric matrix was studied. The microstructure and gas separation properties of the resulting composites were also studied. The results showed that the filler content increase in the elastomeric matrix leads to a noticeable and gradual decrease in the activation energy of the carbonization process, reduces the temperature of this process, and accelerates the growth of the elastic modulus during carbonization. It was shown that the finely dispersed fiber of the MPC acts as an activation center for the process of thermal-oxidative degradation in the elastomeric matrix accompanying the onset of carbonization. The gas permeability values were found to be relatively low and no visible correlation with the MPC alloy content in the composite membrane was observed.