Modification of Specialty Rubbers by Carbon Nanomaterials

Abstract

In the elements of aviation structures of large size and low rigidity rubber thermal protective coatings are used, which do not collapse when the structure is deformed. The use of rubber for supersonic aircraft and spacecraft is limited due to high requirements for heat and frost resistance of materials, as well as to their stability under the conditions of radiation and in a vacuum. Therefore, the development of new rubber with improved characteristics is an urgent problem. Multiwall carbon nanotubes are among the most anisotropic materials known and have extremely high values of Young's modulus. Carbon nanotube aspect ratio of length to diameter is more than 103; this distinguishes it from other nanoparticles. New composites with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as additives were studied intensively during the last decade. Composites are characterized by extremely high specific strength properties, electrical and thermal conductivity. The effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the performance characteristics of rubbers based on nitrile-butadiene was studied with various methods of their preliminary treatment and introduction into the composition of rubbers. It was shown that the introduction of 0.5-1.0 wt. % сarbon nanotubes into elastomers of different chemical structures leads to an increase in their physic mechanical characteristics, wear resistance and aging resistance, which significantly increases the service life of such products.