Transport of benzene and methyl-substituted benzenes through carbon black-filled epoxidized natural rubber

Abstract

Sorption and diffusion of benzene and methyl-substituted benzenes were investigated through epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) reinforced with four types of carbon black: superabrasion furnace (SAF), intermediate superabrasion furnace (ISAF), high-abrasion furnace (HAF), and semireinforcing furnace (SRF). Kraus equation has been used to investigate the extent of reinforcement for the different types of carbon black used in the experiments. Effect of the type and concentration of the carbon black on solvent uptake and mechanism of diffusion were studied in detail. The rate constant for diffusion of the solvents in epoxidized natural rubber vulcanizate based on different carbon black type, and loading was investigated. Diffusion constant was found to decrease with increase in the degree of reinforcement. The interaction constant values were experimentally determined. The sorption data were used to determine the activation energy for the diffusion process and the enthalpy and entropy of the sorption process. The experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 415–427, 1999