Irradiated rubber composite with nano and micro fillers for mining rock application

Abstract In this work, nanosilica and micro carbon black (CB) as a fillers were used to improve the properties of styrene butadiene rubber/natural rubber blends (SBR/NR) crosslinked by γ radiation. Nanosilica was prepared from silica sand and used as eco-friendly material. These composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and the measurements of the physic-mechanical and thermal properties were measured. Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the composites reinforced by nanosilica and the measurements of the CB are uniformly dispersed in the blends matrix. The results showed that the physico-mechanical and thermal properties were improved indicating a good interaction between the fillers and rubber matrix. The volume fraction measurements confirmed the formation of crosslinking network structure. Meanwhile, the reinforcement of SBR/NR blend loaded with nanosilica showed improved mechanical than blend loaded with both the nanosilica/carbon black and the CB alone. The highest enhancement was obtained for the three fillers by using a concentration of 35 phr at a dose of 150 kGy of γ-irradiation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the thermal stability of SBR/NR blend reinforced by nanosilica is higher than those blends reinforced with combined filler the silica. It was also found that the irradiated SBR/NR nanocomposites were more stable than the un-irradiated ones.