Rubber nanocomposites viscoelasticity model

Abstract The present chapter is written as an introduction towards this book on nonlinear viscoelasticity of rubber composites and nanocomposites. Rather than introducing the concept of the book to the readers this chapter reveals the basics behind rubber viscoelasticity and explains both linearity and nonlinearity from this behavior. Various filler reinforced rubbers are introduced emphasising the flow behavior of such nanocomposites. Major mathematical models proposed by Kraus, Huber and Vilgis and Maier and Goritz for the Payne Effect are briefly addressed based on the filler matrix interactions existing in the composite systems. 

Very interesting studies of natural rubber reinforcement with ZnO nanoparticles were performed by scientists from India, under the direction of Sabu Thomas [62]. The goal of these studies was to characterize the viscoelastic behavior and reinforcement mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles introduced into the rubber matrix. They have presented a constrained polymer model based on a rubbery region and a ZnO nanoparticle. Very interestingly, the authors presented a core-shell morphology model and constrained polymer model to explain the constrained polymer chains in NR/ZnO nanocomposites [62]. Thanks to this research and the proposed models, it is possible to understand the behavior of nanofillers in the polymer matrix and maybe in the future to develop an ideal nanofiller for use in the rubber matrix. 

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