Rubber-based blends structural applications

Mohamed et al. [149] evaluated the use of several types of sulfosuccinate anionic surfactants in the dispersion of MWCNTs in NR latex matrices. Sodium l,5-dioxo-l,5-bis(3-phenylpropoxy)-3-((3-phenylpropoxy)carbonyl) pentane-2-sul-fonate showed the best dispersion capabihty and improved the electrical conductivity of the resulted composites. These results have significant implications in the development of new materials for aerospace applications because the filler s dispersiou directly influences the properties of the final material. Jo et al. [150] obtained pristine MWCNt-Ti02 nanoparticles filled with NR-CllR and epoxidized NR-CUR, concluding that the second blend proved higher thermal conductivity because the epoxy branches in ENR and the functionalized MWCNT form a stronger network. Conductivity in CNTs reinforced with rubber-based blends can be improved when reaching a critical concentration of the filler known as the percolation threshold, when a continuous network structure is formed. Thankappan Nair et al. [151] discussed the percolation mechanism in MWCNT-polypropylene-NR blends. 

In conclusion, rubber-based blends are promising materials that can be designed to fulfill the requirements necessary for various types of applications— from medical devices and biomedical applications, to packaging applications, military and aerospace applications, tire industry applications, and structural applications. The chapter also addresses a new trend in the field of rubber-based product development— recycling old parts into powders and incorporating them in different matrices. 

Structural applications of rubber base adhesives were also obtained using rubber-thermosetting resin blends, which provided high strength and low creep. The most common formulations contain phenolic resins and polychloroprene or nitrile rubber, and always need vulcanization. 

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), 9 565-566, 24 695-720 applications for, 24 709-717 based on block copolymers, 24 697t based on graft copolymers, ionomers, and structures with core-shell morphologies, 24 699 based on hard polymer/elastomer combinations, 24 699t based on silicone rubber blends, 24 700 commercial production of, 24 705-708 economic aspects of, 24 708-709 elastomer phase in, 24 703 glass-transition and crystal melting temperatures of, 24 702t hard phase in, 24 703-704 health and safety factors related to, 24 717-718... 

---