Abstract
In this paper, the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and transparency of ethylene–propylene copolymer (EPC) elastomer modified with various weight percentages (1, 3, and 5 wt.%) of SiO2 nanofillers have been studied. The nanocomposites were prepared via a simple melt mixing method. The morphological results revealed that the nanofillers were uniformly dispersed in the elastomer, where a low concentration of SiO2 (1 wt.%) had been added into the elastomer. The FTIR showed that there are interfacial interactions between EPC matrix and silanol groups of SiO2 nanoparticles. Moreover, by the addition of 1 wt.% of SiO2 in the EPC, the tensile strength and elongation at break of EPC increased by about 38% and 27%, respectively. Finally, all samples were optically transparent, and the transparency of the nanocomposites reduced by increasing the content of SiO2 nanoparticles.
Highlights
Nowadays, nanocomposites based on elastomers have been widely used in all applications where highly stretchable and flexible polymers are desired
The results revealed that the tensile strength of the properties of the ethylene–propylene copolymer
The results revealed that the tensile strength of the neat ethylene– propylene copolymer (EPC) elastomer was significantly improved by the addition of 5 wt.% of SiO2
Summary
Nanocomposites based on elastomers have been widely used in all applications where highly stretchable and flexible polymers are desired. Many efforts have been carried out to investigate the influence of nanofillers on the mechanical, morphological, viscoelastic, and thermal properties of elastomeric polymers [5,6,7,8]. The SEBS/FG nanocomposites showed superior mechanical properties, higher hardness, electrical conductivity, and improved barrier performance. The nanocomposite exhibited good thermal and electrical conductivity with higher tensile strength and elongation. The addition of TiO2 nanoparticle resulted in higher stability of UV irradiation, which significantly improved the performance of elastomers for outdoor applications [12]. Lipińska and Imiela [13] produced the ethylene–propylene elastomer/hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber blend combined with functionalized polyhedral
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