103
Aluminium Tri-Hydroxide As Novel Filler for Fluorocarbon Rubber and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
Rani Joseph1,Ajalesh Balachandran Nair2and Dhanya Vijayan1
1. Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, Kerala, India,Pin-682 022
2. Federal Institute of Science and Technology (FISAT), Angamaly, Ernakulam, Kerala, India, Pin-683 577
E-mail: ranigeorge2011@gmail.com
In this study Aluminium tri-hydroxide (ATH) filled Fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) and Ethylene Propylene diene rubber (EPDM) composites were prepared by mill mixing. ATH was incorporated at different loadings to study the effect of filler loading on the cure characteristics, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability. The dielectric properties of the FKM/ATH and EPDM/ATH composites were also studied. It was observed that rate of curing increases with increase in concentration of ATH in FKM rubber and not much effect in EPDM. Tensile properties increased by the addition of ATH in both cases. The mechanical properties of FKM/ATH composites were better than medium thermal (MT) black filled vulcanizates. The EPDM composites showed excellent properties. The incorporation of ATH to FKM caused a slight reduction in thermal stability. Storage modulus increased with the addition of ATH, reached a maximum and then decreased in FKM. There was a good increase in the storage modulus for the EPDM composites.