[en] SBR is a rubber material with high technical relevance. In order to enhance the mechanical properties of the rubber one method consists e. g. in dispersing inorganic nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. By doing so, the properties of a given composite can be tuned either by changing the nanoparticle concentration or by modifying the surface properties of the fillers. Both interventions have indeed the potential to take influence on the structure and properties of the interphases emerging between the fillers and the polymer matrix. In this contribution we report on the glass transition behavior of SBR/alumina nanocomposites when the concentration and surface properties of the Al2O3 nanoparticles are changed. We also discuss the influence of the fillers on the shear stiffness of the rubber material. The samples were investigated by temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). TMDSC investigations shed light on a surprising behavior of the glass transition temperature when the nanoparticle concentration is changed: at low filler contents the quasi-static glass transition temperature Tg passes through a minimum. While further increasing the nanoparticle content Tg increases to finally saturate at high concentrations. One of the main DMA results is that increasing of the Al2O3 concentration induces a quasi-solid-like frequency-independent response of the nanocomposites in the low frequency regime.
Disciplines :
Physics
Author, co-author :
Sushko, Rymma ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit
Baller, Jörg ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit
Sanctuary, Roland ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit
Language :
English
Title :
Thermal and mechanical properties of styrene butadiene rubber/alumina nanocomposites
Alternative titles :
[en] Thermal and mechanical properties of styrene butadiene rubber/alumina nanocomposites