Effect of different carbon fillers on the properties of nitrile rubber composites

In this paper, the influence of carbon fillers with different structures such as carbon black (spherical), carbon nanofibers (fibrous), carbon nanotubes (tubular) and hydroxylated carbon nanotubes on the performance of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) composites have been investigated. The studies prove the significant role of the filler's structure, surface characteristics and filler-filler interactions for composite reinforcement. As part of this study, the cure behaviour, crosslink density, thermal stability, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the filled NBR compounds were measured. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as dibutylphthalate absorption (DBPA) measurements were carried out to determine the nature of the tested materials. It has turned out that the greatest reinforcing activity was exhibited by the carbon nanotubes (CNTs). However, all the tested carbon fillers significantly affected the performance of the nitrile rubber composites, which make them attractive additives for elastomer composites.