Phase Structures, Loss Storage, Damping, Noise Absorption, and Mechanical Properties of Nano-graphite/Lead Zirconium Titanate/Room-Temperature Vulcanized Silicone Rubber Composites

Nano-graphite-based composites with damping absorption and storage loss were fabricated by reactive solution mixing, wet ball milling, and three-roller milling using lead zirconium titanate (PZT) as the modifier and room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV) as the matrix. The comprehensive performance of the composites was evaluated. The phase structure, chemical composition, and microstructure of the composites were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The thermal stability of the composites was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The influence of PZT content on composite performance was evaluated. The PZT content did not significantly affect the morphology and chemical structure of the composites. The increase in the PZT content of composites increased the lattice parameters of PZT but did not cause preferential growth along individual crystal surfaces. The composite with 40 wt.% PZT showed better overall performance than the RTV matrix, with a piezoelectricity of 74 pC/N, storage modulus of 1200 MPa, loss modulus of 210 MPa, damping coefficient of 0.25, and an absorption coefficient of 0.48. Moreover, the optimal composite had the highest internal loss, which was determined by evaluating its hysteresis loop.