Abstract
Background: Polymer reinforced elastomeric composites are recognized as potential materials and have attracted significant attention due to their outstanding mechanical properties. Most conventional methods reported in literature for reinforcing resins to the elastomers are not effective in uniform dispersion of the resins while incorporating into the elastomers, detailed studies are required.
Objective: To Investigate the application of epoxy-benzoxazine (EB) through prepregs to nitrile rubber (NBR) by a novel co-curing process for enhancing the performance of nitrile rubber. The relative effect of these resin reinforcements to NBR with non-reinforced NBR compound (NBR-NR) under the similar conditions has been studied.
Method: DSC, FTIR, and DMA analysis were utilized to study the chemical interactions and network properties of nitrile rubber with epoxy-benzoxazine resin. Mechanical properties were characterized for studying the ultimate performance and thermal ageing of reinforced nitrile rubber. TGA analysis and swelling studies were utilized for studying the thermal stability and solvent resistant properties. Demonstrated a practical co-curing process to reinforce thermosetting resins through glass prepregs with NBR.
Results: Epoxy-benzoxazine resins exists in the form of a localized, interpenetrating network structure in the NBR matrix. This resin reinforced NBR showed lower stiffness, improved cross-link density when compared to non reinforced NBR. Mechanical properties, thermal stability, swelling studies and thermal ageing properties were improved for NBR-EB composite over NBR-NR.
Conclusion: Epoxy-benzoxazine resin is effective reinforcement for NBR rubber to enhance the performance of elastomer. The study has also demonstrated a practical co-curing process to reinforce thermosetting resins through prepregs with NBR.
Keywords: Co-curing, epoxy-benzoxazine resin, nitrile rubber, polymer blends, prepreg, reinforcement.
Graphical Abstract
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