The Effect of MWCNTs on Cure Characteristics and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Compounds

Stryrene butadiene (SBR) rubber formulations containing carbon nanotubes (CNT) were compounded and the resulting blends were investigated for effect of CNTs on cure characteristics, CNT dispersion, and dynamic mechanical properties. A dispersion of non-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubers (MWCNTs) in a solvent was added to the SBR rubber to create a CNT masterbatch. The CNT masterbatch was mixed in an internal mixer to prepare rubber compounds with sulfur and peroxide curing systems. The cure characteristics were analyzed for each cure system and CNT loading. Dynamic mechanical properties of as a function of CNT loading and cure system were evaluated. Cure times and dynamic properties were found to vary with CNT loading.