Thermally Stable Nanocomposites of Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber with Fullerenes

ABSTRACT

Nanotechnology offers the promise of new materials with enhanced performance.  Fullerene reinforced elastomers have potential for improved rubber compounds in aggressive environments.  Fullerenes are conductive and thermally stable due to their three dimensional aromaticity and high reactivity. In this work, we investigated the effect of fullerenes (C₆₀) in rubber for potential use in the oil field industry.  The vulcanized HNBR rubber with different loading percentages of fullerenes was compared with carbon black N330, and the combination of both.  The mechanical, dynamic mechanical and rheological behavior of the compounds was also investigated along with the effect of fullerenes on the vulcanization kinetics. With increased filler loading of both carbon black and fullerene gave higher modulus and strength.  The fullerene filled materials showed improved thermal stability.