Enhancing the magnetization, electric resistivity and mechanical properties of silicone rubber loaded by Co-Zn ferrite nanoparticles as filler

Abstract

High temperature vulcanized silicone rubber samples filled with Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles were prepared using an ordinary standard rubber mixer. The compounds were prepared by dry mixing in two roll-mixing mills (outside diameter 470 mm, working distance 300 mm, speed of slow roll 24 rpm and fraction ratio of 1:1.4). Structure and Morphology of Co-Zn ferrite were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The homogeneity of Co-Zn nanoferrite-filled silicone rubber was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The influences of ferrite concentration on the rheological and the physico mechanical properties: tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus were measured. An enhancement of those properties were noticed by increasing ferrite load till 8 phr. The hardness showed an enhancement for all composite samples. Magnetization of the samples showed an increase with high rate at high ferrite concentration while the electric resistivity decreases up to 8 phr ferrite loaded sample then increases for higher ferrite loads. These results were discussed and interpreted in the light of the morphology and different interactions between the phase of ferrite and rubber matrix. Comparisons which were held between the obtained results with those in the literature showed superiority for the values of measured properties in this study.