Abstract
Cross‐linked polystyrene (PS) particles in a latex form were synthesized by free radical emulsion polymerization. The nano‐PS‐filled elastomer composites were prepared by the energy‐saving latex compounding method. Results showed that the PS particles took a spherical shape in the size of 40–60 nm with a narrow size distribution, and the glass‐transition temperature of the PS nanoparticles increased with the cross‐linking density. The outcomes from the mechanical properties demonstrated that when filled into styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR), and natural rubber (NR), the cross‐linked PS nano‐particles exhibited excellent reinforcing capabilities in all the three matrices, and the best in the SBR matrix. In comparison with that of the carbon black filled composites, another distinguished advantage of the cross‐linked PS particles filled elastomer composites was found to be light weight in density, which could help to save tremendous amount of energy when put into end products.
Highlights
Most widely applied elastomer materials, due to the weaknesses in modulus and strength, usually require some kind of reinforcement before putting into use
In our experiments, when filtering the PS latex obtained after the emulsion polymerization, we found that the gel part in the PS latex increased with higher consumption of Divinyl benzene (DVB)
Composites filled with PS fillers of different cross-linking densities were prepared in order to investigate the influence of the cross-linking density on the reinforcing performances
Summary
Most widely applied elastomer materials, due to the weaknesses in modulus and strength, usually require some kind of reinforcement before putting into use. As this case stands, great parts of the rubber products are composites made of the elastomeric matrix and some kind of fillers as well as some other curatives. Many types of reinforcing agents have already been developed; carbon black and silica are the ones that are commonly used. These conventional fillers are usually solid powders. What’s worse, because of the poor compatibility with the rubber matrix, there is a tendency for the fillers to aggregate forming a strong filler network which may do harm to the dispersion of the fillers and the performance of the composites as well
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