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A Testing Platform for Durability Studies of Polymers and Fiber-reinforced Polymer Composites under Concurrent Hygrothermo-mechanical Stimuli
Published on: December 11, 2014
On-demand tuned hazard free elastomeric composites: A green approach
Partheban Manoharan1, Narayan Chandra Das1, Kinsuk Naskar1
1Indian Institute of Technology, Rubber Technology Centre, Kharagpur, 721302, India.
Biopolymers
|April 4, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a novel green composite using bio-resin, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and natural rubber. The bio-resin enhances silica dispersion and improves composite properties, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional additives.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Growing environmental concerns necessitate sustainable alternatives in the rubber industry.
- Traditional rubber products often have harmful environmental impacts.
- Need for eco-friendly materials to reduce detrimental influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of bio-resin with zinc oxide nanoparticles in natural rubber composites.
- Evaluate the performance of these novel green composites.
- Explore bio-resin as a sustainable alternative to synthetic coupling agents and toxic process oils.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of natural rubber (NR)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)-based composites reinforced with highly dispersible silica (HDS).
- Incorporation of bio-resin and zinc oxide nanoparticles.
- Characterization using bound rubber content, transmission electron microscopy, physico-mechanical, dynamic mechanical, nanoindentation, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) with Beaucage model.
Main Results:
- Bio-resin incorporation led to enhanced hysteresis in green composites.
- SAXS analysis confirmed improved silica dispersion with bio-resin.
- The novel green composite exhibited impressive physico-mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties.
- Cure characteristics were also analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Bio-resin acts as an effective coupling agent, improving silica dispersion in NR/ENR composites.
- The developed green composite demonstrates superior properties compared to conventional materials.
- Bio-resin presents a viable, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic coupling agents and toxic process oils.
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