• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.8-11
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• 2018

Sheet molding compound (SMC) is one of the most economical fiber reinforced composite fabrication processing for automotive applications. In this study, we studied the optimum formulation for the production of SMC which shows low specific gravity without lowering the mechanical properties by using glass bubble (GB) which is a low specific gravity filler and glass fiber (GF) as a reinforcing material. The tensile strength increased with the increase of the GF in the SMC, and the specific gravity decreased with the increase of the GB. The synergistic effect of improving the mechanical properties as the specific gravity is lowered is found in the optimum formulation. The synergy effect was confirmed by the internal structure analysis that the dispersion effect of the crack propagation of the GB and the improvement of the binding force between the fiber and the matrix due to the incorporation of the GB.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.445-451
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• 2002

In this work, the adsorption characteristics and mechanical interfacial properties of treated silicas by silane coupling agents, such as, ${\gamma}$-methacryloxy propyl trimethoxy silane (MPS), ${\gamma}$-glycidoxy propyl trimethoxy silane (GPS), and ${\gamma}$-mercapto propyl trimethoxy silane (MCPS), were investigated. The equilibrium spreading pressure ($pi_e$), surface free energy ($gamma_s$ s/), and specific surface area ($S_{BET}$) were studied by the BET method with $N_2$/77 K adsorption. The developments of nonpolar functional groups of the silica surfaces treated by silane coupling agents led to the increase in the $S_{BET}$, $pi_e$, and $gamma_s$, resulting in the improved tearing energy ($G_{mc}$)of the silica/rubber composites. The composites treated by MPS showed the superior mechanical interfacial properties in these systems. These results explained by changing of crystalline size, dispersion, agglomerate, and surface functional group of silica/rubber composites.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.98-105
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• 2000

Using FT-IR and contact angle measurements it is observed that the chemical surface treatments on virgin carbon blacks lead to a change of the surface properties, including surface functionality and surface free energy It is found that the developments of surface functional groups on acidically and basically treated (ACB and BCB in this study, respectively) carbon blacks are largely correlated with the specific component of surface free energy of the carbon blacks. However, a significant advantage of compounding composites is gained by BCB or NCB (nonpolar chemical treatment) specimens, resulting in improving the hardness, elongation at break, and tensile strength. Particularly, it is seen that the tensile strength of the composites are greatly depended on the London dispersive component of surface free energy determined from the contact angle measurements. It is then concluded that the London dispersion component of carbon blacks plays an important role in an organic rubbers-based compounding composite system.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2013

Epoxy matrix based composites were fabricated by adding SiC nano fillers. The interfacial properties of composites were varied with different shapes of SiC nano fillers. To investigate the shape effects on the interfacial properties, beta and whisker type SiC nano fillers were used for this evaluation. The dispersion states of nano SiC-epoxy nanocomposites were evaluated by capacitance measurements. FE-SEM was used to observe the fracture surface of different structures of SiC-epoxy nanocomposites and to investigate for reinforcement effect. Interfacial properties between carbon fiber and SiC-epoxy nanocomposites were also evaluated by ILSS (interlaminar shear strength) and IFSS (interfacial shear strength) tests. The interfacial adhesion of beta type nanocomposites was better than whisker type.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2015

In this study, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate-styrene-butadiene terpolymer (DEAEMA-SBR), in which diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) was introduced to the SBR molecule as a third monomer, was synthesized by cold emulsion polymerization. It is expected that amine group introduced to a rubber molecule would improve dispersion of silica by the formation of hydrogen bond (or ionic coupling) between the amine group and silanol groups of silica surface. The chemical structure of DEAEMA-SBR was analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Then, various properties of DEAEMA-SBR/silica composite such as crosslink density, bound rubber content, abrasion resistance, and mechanical properties were evaluated. As a result, bound rubber content and crosslink density of DEAEMA-SBR/silica compound were higher than those of the SBR 1721 composite. Abrasion resistance and moduli at 300% elongation of the DEAEMA-SBR/silica composite were better than those of SBR 1721 composite due to the high bound rubber content and crosslink density. These results are attributed to high affinity between DEAEMA-SBR and silica. The proposed study suggests that DEAEMA-SBR can help to improve mechanical properties and abrasion resistance of the tire tread part.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2016

1,3-Diphenylguanidine (DPG) is commonly used as a secondary accelerator which not only acts as booster of cure but also activating silanization reaction. The aim of this study is to increase the interaction between silica and rubber by using DPG. In this study, mixing was proceeded in two steps. The T-1 compound is mixed DPG with silica and silane coupling agent in the kneader at high temperature which is named as $1^{st}$ mixing step. T-3 compound is mixed DPG with curatives in the two-roll mill at low temperature which is named as $2^{nd}$ mixing step. The T-2 compound is mixed a half of DPG in $1^{st}$ mixing step and the remainder is mixed in $2^{nd}$ mixing step. Total DPG content was equal for all compounds. When DPG is mixed with silica, silane coupling agent during the $1^{st}$ mixing step, a decrease in cure rate and an increase in scorch time can be seen. This indicates that DPG is adsorbed on the surface of silica. during rubber processing. However, bound rubber content is increased and dynamic properties are improved. These results are due to the highly accelerated silanization reaction. However, there are no significant difference in 100%, 300% modulus.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.158-167
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• 2018

In this study, in-situ trans-selective polymerization of isoprene was carried out using titanium-based Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by high-energy ball milling. Individually Large-inner-diameter carbon nanotubes (CNTL), and hydroxylated carbon nanotubes (CNTOH), along with magnesium chloride ($MgCl_2$) were used as the carriers for the catalysts. The optimum ball-milling time for preparing the $CNT/MgCl_2/TiCl_4$ Ziegler-Natta catalysts was 4 h. The $CNTOH/MgCl_2/TiCl_4$ catalyst showed a higher efficiency than that of the $CNTL/MgCl_2/TiCl_4$ catalyst, based on the rate of polymerization. The effects of the CNT-filler type on the isoprene polymerization behaviors and polymer properties were investigated. The morphologies of the trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI)/CNT and TPI/CNTOH nanocomposites exhibited a tube-like shape, and the CNTL and CNTOH fillers were well dispersed in the TPI matrix. In addition, the thermal stability of TPI significantly increased upon the introduction of a small amount of both CNTL/CNTOH fillers (0.15 wt%), owing to the satisfactory dispersion of the CNTL/CNTOH in the TPI matrix.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.782-786
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• 2014

Various kinds of thermal conductive ceramic/polymer composites (aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, boron nitride, and silicon carbide/epoxy) were prepared by a casting method and their optical images were observed by FE-SEM. Among these, SiC/epoxy composite shows inhomogeneous dispersion features of SiC and air voids in the epoxy matrix layer, resulting in undesirable thermal conductive properties. To enhance the thermal conductivities of SiC/epoxy composites, the epoxy wetting method which can directly infiltrate the epoxy droplet onto filtrated SiC cake was employed to fabricate the homogeneously dispersed SiC/epoxy composite for ideal thermal conductive behavior, with maximum thermal conductivity of 3.85W/mK at 70 wt% of SiC filler contents.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.44-52
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• 2002

Composite materials are created by combining two or more component to achieve desired properties which could not be obtained with the separate components. The use of reinforcing fillers, which can reduce material costs and improve certain properties, is increasing in thermoplastic polymer composites. Currently, various inorganic fillers such as talc, mica, clay, glass fiber and calcium carbonate are being incorporated into thermoplastic composites. Nevertheless, lignocellulose fibers have drawn attention due to their abundant availability, low cost and renewable nature. In recent, interest has grown in composites made from lignocellulose fiber in thermoplastic polymer matrices, particularly for low cost/high volume applications. In addition to high specific properties, lignocellulose fibers offer a number of benefits for lignocellulose fiber/thermoplastic polymer composites. These include low hardness, which minimize abrasion of the equipment during processing, relatively low density, biodegradability, and low cost on a unit-volume basis. In spite of the advantage mentioned above, the use of lignocellulose fibers in thermoplastic polymer composites has been plagued by difficulties in obtaining good dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion because lignocellulose fiber is hydrophilic and thermoplastic polymer is hydrophobic. The application of lignocellulose fibers as reinforcements in composite materials requires, just as for glass-fiber reinforced composites, a strong adhesion between the fiber and the matrix regardless of whether a traditional polymer matrix, a biodegradable polymer matrix or cement is used. Further this article gives a survey about physical and chemical treatment methods which improve the fiber matrix adhesion, their results and effects on the physical properties of composites. Coupling agents in lignocellulose fiber and polymer composites play a very important role in improving the compatibility and adhesion between polar lignocellulose fiber and non-polar polymeric matrices. In this article, we also review various kinds of coupling agent and interfacial mechanism or phenomena between lignocellulose fiber and thermoplastic polymer.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2007

In this study, SBR (Styrene-butadiene rubber: solid content: 25 wt%) nanocomposites reinforced with carbon/organoclay(C18-MMT) were manufactured by a latex method. The SBR nanocomposites was made with the dual phase fillers. The mixing ratios, i.e. carbon black/C18-MMT, were 50/0, 49/1, 48/2, 47/3, 45/5, 44/6, 40/10. Total filler content of compounds was restricted to 50 phr. Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of SBR nanocomposites with carbon black and C18-MMT were evaluated. The SBR nanocomposites containing 49/1 ratio of carbon black/C18-MMT showed good dispersity and excellent values of ODR torque, tensile strength, modulus and tear energy. It was found that the improvement of the mechanical properties was mainly due to the reinforcing effect, i.e., the improvement of dispersion of silicates in the rubber matrix.