Influence of Atmospheric Conditions on the Polymer Composite Based on NBR Rubber and Functionalized Protein Waste

Abstract

Technology has progressed a lot in the last 20 years, today it is possible to obtain new polymer composites that show performance properties. The ever-increasing demand for new high-performance materials has determined the appearance of new polymer structures based on elastomers and various wastes (protein, cellulosic, elastomeric, etc.) from various fields (shoes, leather goods, etc.). This paper describes the obtaining and characterization of polymer composites based on NBR rubber (butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) and protein waste from the footwear and leather goods industry, cryogenically ground to micrometric dimensions and modified with PDMS (polydimethyl siloxane). PDMS has the role of a plasticizer, but at the same time it improves the dispersion of protein waste mixed in the polymer matrix. The polymer composites were obtained by the mixing technique and tested from a physical-mechanical point of view according to the standards in force. The characterization in normal condition and accelerated aging at 70°C for 168 h (it was carried out hot, using the hot air circulation oven method) was carried out after the samples were subjected to conditioning for 24 h at ambient temperature. Also, the polymer composite samples were subjected for 365 days to atmospheric conditions (sun, rain, wind, hail, light, etc.) to see their influence on the properties of the obtained polymer composites.