Effect of Alumina Modified by Silane on the Mechanical, Swelling and Dielectric Properties of Al2O3/EPDM/SBR Blend Composites

Abstract

Rubber blending has been widely used to improve various properties in finished rubber products. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of filler size, type, concentration, and surface treatment on the mechanical, swelling, dielectric, and morphology properties of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)/styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) rubber blend nanocomposites filled with alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles. Bis-(3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl)-tetrasulfide (TESPT) was used as a silane coupling agent. Rubber blend nanocomposites containing Al2O3 nanoparticles were compared to carbon black (CB). The results indicate that the nanocomposites prepared, in particular with the TESPT, had better properties than the composites without the TESPT. Mechanical properties of the CB-filled EPDM/SBR rubber blend were noticeably improved, indicating CB's inherent reinforcing potential. We found that rubber nanocomposites' crosslink density and filler–rubber interaction increase, and the swelling coefficient decreases with increasing filler content. The dielectric properties of the nanocomposites showed a significant enhancement with fillers. SEM images showed that the CB sample had a higher distribution than Al2O3 due to good interaction and dispersion. This study's experimental data will help design and manufacture outdoor insulators.