Natural rubber and copper alumina nanocomposite‐based flexible elastomer‐inorganic hybrid systems
K. Parvathi, M. A. Al‐Maghrabi, M Subburaj, M. T. Ramesan
Abstract
Abstract This work investigates the effect of different loading of copper alumina nanoparticles (Cu‐Al 2 O 3 ) on the processing characteristics, crystalline, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of natural rubber (NR). The effective reinforcement of Cu‐Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles into NR was carried out using a simple and efficient two roll mill mixing technique and the structural changes were systematically analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HR‐TEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The FTIR and XRD of NR/Cu‐Al 2 O 3 showed the characteristic absorption bands and the crystalline peaks of Cu‐Al 2 O 3 in the prepared composites. SEM and HR‐TEM showed the uniform distribution of nano Cu‐Al 2 O 3 in the NR matrix. The processing time of the nanocomposites was significantly decreased with the addition of metal oxide nanoparticles, which indicated the reduction in the cost of the fabrication of elastomer product using Cu‐Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, hardness, heat build‐up, glass transition temperature, tear properties, abrasion, and thermal stability were greatly enhanced by the reinforcement of Cu‐Al 2 O 3 into the NR matrix. The swelling behavior of composite with respect to different loading of nano‐filler was also investigated in various aromatic solvents. The addition of nanoparticles reduces the solvent uptake of the composite and the maximum solvent resistance was noted for the composite with 5 phr loading.