Publication Details
Abstract
The study aims to investigate the influence of furan oligomers and local carbon fillers on the technological and operational properties of rubber compounds based on butadiene-nitrile elastomers. Key objectives include assessing the effects of these components on mixing, plasticization, vulcanization, and the resultant physical-mechanical and dynamic properties of the filled rubbers.
Rubber compounds were prepared using a rotor-type Brabender Plastograph under industrially relevant shear rates (1–250 s⁻¹) and temperatures up to 473 K. Parameters such as torque, plasticity, and conditional plasticization rate were determined from kinetic curves. Shrinkage and extrusion productivity were evaluated using a syringe-type attachment and laboratory screw extruders. Density was measured pycnometrically, and rheological behavior during vulcanization was assessed using a Monsanto REOMETR-100 vibration rheometer. Carbon-rubber gel values were determined through Soxhlet extraction. Physical-mechanical and dynamic properties, including tensile strength, elongation, hardness, fatigue resistance, and heat generation, were measured in accordance with relevant GOST standards.
The studied vulcanizates showed high conditional tensile strength and relative elongation, that the spatial network was well constructed. Residual tension and deformation after multiple compressions were very low, demonstrating efficient elastic recovery. Energy dissipation and hysteresis losses were low according to the heat generation and rebound elasticity data. In general, furan oligomers and local carbon fillers have contributed in the enhancement of the performance of rubber compositions.
The work offers an in-depth procedure for the assessment of the interaction between filler nature, mixing conditions and mechanical-dynamic response in butadiene-nitrile rubber blends with a specific focus on network development triggered by functional oligomers contribution to
vulcanization process.
The results are conducive to the utilization of furan oligomers and local carbon fillers in the industrial processing of rubber by developing composites with high strength, elasticity and fatigue durability; these can be employed in industries like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering.
The work was undertaken at a lab level and some further work still needs to be carried out in order to validate the performance for industrial scale production and service conditions.