Study on morphological, rheological and physico/mechanical behavior of SEBS/CaCO sub(3) nanocomposite

• Published in: Fibers and polymers 2013-04, Vol.14 (4), p.556-565
• Main Authors: Sadeghi, Mohsen, Esfandiari, Amirhossein
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calcium carbonate; Cures; Fillers; Hardness; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Scanning electron microscopy
• ISSN: 1229-9197; 1875-0052
• DOI: 10.1007/s12221-013-0556-y

This work focuses on the modification of the mechanical properties and morphology, cure behavior and other characterization of nano CaCO sub(3) filled SEBS (Styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) elastomers. The tensile strength was increased and compression set characterization was decreased with increasing content of nCaCO sub(3) value. The influence of the interfacial area and the volume fraction of filler were studied. Furthermore, isothermal cure characterization of neat and filled systems was performed using a torque rheometer. The most important finding base on the rheological studies was the catalytic effect of nCaCO sub(3) on cure reaction of SEBS, leading to the shorter curing time. Moreover, the kinetic analyses of rheograms revealed a marked decrease in the activation energy of the cure process upon raising nCaCO sub(3) content. Interestingly, MFI, Hardness, Tensile, Compression set testes showed that the hardness and tensile properties were dramatically increased and MFI and elongation decreased by the addition of nano CaCO sub(3) into SEBS system compared to pure blend resin. It was shown that the relative increase in tensile yield stress when increasing amount of interfacial agent was added, both depends on the volume of filler and the interfacial area. The nanoparticles shape, size and dispersion state were investigate through X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) method.