Functionalized Silicon Carbide Whiskers for Use in Elastomers

The effect of the use of functionalized silicon carbide whiskers as fillers in elastomers is investigated.  Silicon carbide is a very tough material that is higher modulus and stronger than carbon black.  It is temperature stable up to 600 ^oC, and has high thermal conductivity.  It is inert and generally demonstrates only moderate interfacial adhesion between itself and most elastomers.   Silicon carbide whiskers are “nanotubes” of silicon carbide, approximately 0.6 microns in diameter with a distribution in lengths from 7 microns to 120 microns.   The high L/D of these SiC whiskers exhibit unique properties in elastomers.   Advanced Composite Materials, LLC has overcome a major challenge and has now developed a method to functionalize these SiC whiskers by grafting amine functionality onto the surface.  The combination of amine functionality with nanotube morphology provides very unique properties that cannot be achieved by other means.