Publication

Abstract : Nanocomposites of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Rubber and Silicone rubber (SiR) blends were prepared by reinforcing with nanosilica by compounding in an internal mixer. FTIR analysis gave insight into interfacial chemical interaction of nanosilica with rubber blend. TEM analysis revealed that nanosilica was evenly dispersed while at higher nanofiller content, there was slight agglomeration. The mechanical and solvent sorption properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated experimentally for varying nanosilica contents. The maximum increase in tensile strength, obtained for the nanocomposites was 243%. The value of the pure blend and the elongation percentage has increased by 67%. It has also been noted that the sorption parameters decreases by 30%.There were significant variations in the mechanical and sorption properties as the filler content was varied. Micromechanical models were used to predict and analyze elastic modulus. Different sorption models were used to analyze the mode of transport and to observe diffusion kinetics optimization.