Effects of modified poly(tetrafluoroethylene) on the p<scp>hysico‐mechanical</scp> and tribological properties of carbon‐black filled nitrile‐butadiene rubber
Farid Jafari, Mehdi Razzaghi‐Kashani, Seyed Mostaffa Hosseini, Mohammad Reza Pourhossaini
Abstract
Abstract In this study the effects of electron beam irradiated poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (IR‐PTFE) on the mechanical and tribological properties as well as thermal and solvent aging behavior of carbon black filled nitrile‐butadiene rubber vulcanizates were studied. Based on the obtained results, addition of 30phr IR‐PTFE reduced mechanical strength about 10%, whereas coefficient of friction desirably reduced up to 60%. It was shown that IR‐PTFE significantly improved tribological properties by affecting the adhesion contribution of the friction mechanism. Moreover, formation of IR‐PTFE transfer films also contributed to the reduction of coefficient of friction in the long term tests. In addition, it was explained that IR‐PTFE enhances the sulfur cross‐linking reaction in the vulcanizates by reducing the intensity of carbon black network. Therefore, augmented chemical cross‐links compensates the loss of physical cross‐links in the carbon black network and keeps the solvent swelling resistance unchanged. Also, IR‐PTFE showed positive effects on the solvent aging of the vulcanizates, whereas the thermal aging of vulcanizates was unaffected.