The Effect of the Nanoparticle SiO2 on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Rubber Composites

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of the nanoparticle SiO2 on the mechanical and physical properties of a rubber blend of natural rubber (NR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). The proportions of the nanoparticle that are added are 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 pphr to a fixed percentage of rubber blend (30% NR/70% SBR), which has been prepared with vulcanisation factors, accelerators and activators using a two-roll mill laboratory, moulds and a thermal piston; the pressure, temperature and time difference test conditions according to standards. The results of the laborator tests show an increase in the mechanical properties (i.e. tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, resilience and tear resistance) with increases in the percentage load (pphr) until 0.8 pphr, which is when there is a slight decrease; the properties of hardness, fatigue and compression set also increase. While the results for the physical properties show an increase in viscosity, the greater torque, scorch and cure times decrease with increases in the proportion of SiO2 in the rubber recipe.