Hybrid filler rubber composites/nanocomposites

Hybrid fillers for rubber composites/nanocomposites are getting importance because they offer a range of properties that cannot be obtained with a single type of reinforcement. Hybrid composites have attracted the attention of many researchers as a way to enhance the mechanical properties [19, 35]. Hybrid... 

The effect of polymer-filler interaction on solvent swelling and dynamic mechanical properties of the sol-gel-derived acrylic rubber (ACM)/silica, epoxi-dized natural rubber (ENR)/silica, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/silica hybrid nanocomposites was described by Bandyopadhyay et al. [27]. Theoretical delineation of the reinforcing mechanism of polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites has been attempted by some authors while studying the micromechanics of the intercalated or exfoliated PNCs [28-31]. Wu et al. [32] verified the modulus reinforcement of rubber/clay nanocomposites using composite theories based on Guth, Halpin-Tsai, and the modified Halpin-Tsai equations. On introduction of a modulus reduction factor (MRF) for the platelet-like fillers, the predicted moduli were found to be closer to the experimental measurements. 

NR composites and nanocomposites can be fabricated by three main techniques, namely latex compounding, solution mixing and melt blending. A variety of nanofillers, such as carbon black, silica, carbon nanotubes, graphene, calcium carbonate, organomodified clay, reclaimed rubber powder, recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) powder, cellulose whiskers, starch nanocrystals, etc. have been used to reinforce NR composites and nanocomposites over the past two decades. In this chapter, we discuss the preparation and properties of NR composites and nanocomposites from the viewpoint of nanofillers. We divide nanofillers into four different types conventional fillers, natural fillers, metal or compound fillers and hybrid fillers, and the following discussion is based on this classification. 

Effect of Hybrid Fillers on the Non-Linear Viscoelasticity of Rubber Composites and Nanocomposites... 

This chapter focuses on the non-linear viscoelastic behavior of rubber composites and nanocomposites. Here, we have discussed about the effect of individual fillers (mineral fillers, nanotubes, carbon nanofillers, fibrous nanofiUers, biofillers, special structured fillers viz. nanorods, nanowires, nanoflowers etc.) on the linear/ nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of rubber composites. Moreover, as this chapter is more concerned on the non-linear viscoelastic behavior, we have also discussed the effect of hybrid fillers on the nonUnear viscoelastic behavior of rubber composites in more detail. 

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