Property optimization is essential in both industrial and academic research fields. In this study, novel fluorinated rubber composites were manufactured with carbon nanofibers and compared to a standard control formulation (with 30 phr carbon black) and with carbon nanotubes. Hybrid composites with carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibers and carbon black were also produced. Also, two processing conditions (internal mixing and co-processing using an internal mixer followed by a two-roll mill) were tested in terms of the overall mechanical, morphological, electrical, dynamic mechanical, and swelling responses of the rubber composites. The results suggested a synergistic effect for both nanofillers and provided reinforcement and electrical conductivity due to filler-polymer interactions and the formation of a percolation threshold, respectively. Carbon nanofibers are an alternative to replace carbon nanotubes due to their lower cost and they are easier to be chemically modified.
EndoMNoguchiTItoM, et al.
Extreme-performance rubber nanocomposites for probing and excavating deep oil resources using multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Adv Funct Mater2008;
18: 3403–3409.
3.
AgnelliSCipollettiVMustoS, et al.
Interactive effects between carbon allotrope fillers on the mechanical reinforcement of polyisoprene based nanocomposites. eXPRESS Polym Lett2014;
8: 436–449.
4.
MoniGAnoop ThomasJ, et al.
Development and performance analysis of fluoroelastomer-graphite nanoplatelet nanocomposites. Indian J EngMater Sci2017;
24: 194–200.
5.
GalimbertiMCipollettiVMustoS, et al.
Recent advancements in rubber nanocomposites. Rubber Chem Technol2014;
87: 417–442.
6.
HeidarianJHassanA.Microstructural and thermal properties of fluoroelastomer/carbon nanotube composites. Composites: Part B2014;
58: 166–174.
7.
HeidarianJ.Acid surface modified carbon nanotube-filled fluoroelastomers aging test in oil-based. J Elastomers Plastics2017;
49: 706–737.
8.
BokobzaLRahmaniMBelinC, et al.
Blends of carbon blacks and multiwall carbon nanotubes as reinforcing fillers for hydrocarbon rubbers. J Polym Sci B Polym Phys2008;
46: 1939–1951.
9.
Al-SalehMHSundarajU.Review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanofiber/polymer composites. Composites: Part A2011;
42: 2126–2142.
10.
KelarakisAYoonKSicsI, et al.
Uniaxial deformation of an elastomer nanocomposite containing modified carbon nanofibers by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Polymer2005;
46: 5103–5117.
11.
RybińskiPJanowskaG.Thermal properties and flammability of nanocomposites based on nitrile rubbers and activated halloysite nanotubes and carbon nanofibers. Thermochimica Acta2012;
549: 6–12.
MapkarJAIyerGColemanMR.Functionalization of carbon nanofibers with elastomeric block copolymer using carbodiimide chemistry. Applied Surface Sci2009;
255: 4806–4813.
15.
MooreAL.Fluorelastomers handbook: the definiitive user´s guide and databook. 2006.
New York:
William Andrew.
16.
OrnaghiFGBianchiOOrnaghiHL, et al.
Fluoroelastomers reinforced with carbon nanofibers: a survey on rheological, swelling, mechanical, morphological, and prediction of the thermal degradation kinetic behavior. Polym Eng Sci2019;
59: 1223–1232.
17.
HalpinJC.Stiffness and expansion estimates for oriented short fiber composites. J Composites Mater1969;
3: 732–734.
18.
GuthE.Theory of filler reinforcement. J Appl Phys1945;
16: 20–25.
FröhlichJNiedermeierWLuginslandH-D.The effect of filler-filler and filler-elastomer interaction on rubber reinforcement. Composites: Part A2005;
36: 449–460.
21.
LeblancJL.Rubber-filler interactions and rheological properties in filled compounds. Prog Polym Sci2002;
27: 627–687.
22.
PiersonHO. Handbook of carbon, graphite, diamond and fullerenes. Properties, processing and apllications. Ed Noyes. New Jersey, USA: Noyes Publication, 1993.
23.
OmnésBThuillierSPilvinP, et al.
Effective properties of carbon black filled natural rubber: experiments and modeling. Composites: Part A2008;
39: 1141–1149.
24.
MengXLiuXCongC, et al.
Strategy of tailoring the interface between multiwalled carbon nanotube and fluoroelastomer. Polym Compos2015;
36: 257–257.
25.
BokobzaL.Multiwall carbon nanotube elastomeric composites: a review. Polymer2007;
48: 4907–4920.
26.
AliciaI. Carbon nanotubes/rubber solutions for automotive, oil and gas and tyre industries. Apresentação congresso - Rubbercon - Manchester, UK2014;
BokobzaLKolodziejM.On the use of carbon nanotubes as reinforcing fillers for elastomeric materials. Polym Int2006;
55: 1090–1098.
31.
StickneyPBMuellerWJ.Influence of carbon black on swelling rate of polymer in filled vulcanizates. Rubber Chem Technol1969;
42: 604–612.
32.
DerryCD.Carbon nanotube/graphene composite semiconductors for high performance polythiophene organic thin film transistors. Tese de Doutorado, McMaster University, 2011.
