SWELLING RESISTANCE OF NANO POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE

The ethylene-propylene-diene monomer/styrene-butadiene rubber (EPDM/SBR)-nanosilica (SiO2) nanocomposite was prepared. The 0-10 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of SiO2 with EPDM/SBR was mixed on a two-roll mill. The effect of nanosilica (0-10 phr), and silane coupling agent (bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulphide) (TESPT) on the curing characteristics, mechanical properties, rebound resilience, compression characteristics, abrasion, swelling property and morphological characteristics of the EPDM/SBR-SiO2 nanocomposites was investigated and studied. From the results, it was clear that the mechanical, wear and swelling properties steps-up with increase in the content of nanosilica particles in it. The addition of TESPT enhances the properties of the nanocomposites to a greater extent. From the analysis, it was clear that the effect of nanosilica concentration in the rubber composite with TESPT was found to be superior compared to nanocomposites without it.

Dr. K. Ragupathy is a professor of mechanical engineering, Agni college of Technology, Chennai, India. He has successfully Completed doctorate in the field of composite materials.