Journal of Rubber Research最新文献

{"title":"Thermal and mechanical behavior of natural rubber and polystyrene disks under edge-loading: implications for structural integrity and thermal control","authors":"Pankaj Thakur,&nbsp;Priya Gulial","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00316-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00316-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the thermo–mechanical behavior of rotating disks made from natural rubber (NR) and polystyrene (PS) under edge-loading conditions, focusing on the effects of radius ratio, axial load, and temperature on yield initiation and stress distribution. The critical angular speed for yield initiation decreases with increasing radius ratio and axial load for both materials, with NR exhibiting greater sensitivity due to its viscoelastic nature and thermal softening at elevated temperatures. PS demonstrates higher mechanical stability and resistance to deformation under similar conditions. Stress analysis shows that hoop stress decreases significantly in NR as temperature rises, especially under combined axial load, indicating a higher risk of early yielding. Radial stress varies with load and temperature but remains lower than hoop stress, emphasizing the dominant role of circumferential stress in material failure. These findings provide valuable guidance for the design and material selection of rotating components in automotive and industrial applications, ensuring improved performance and durability under complex thermal and mechanical loading.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 3","pages":"493 - 504"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of weathering in RTV-silicone rubber/polyurethane binary blend system in the presence of grafting agent","authors":"Shaymaa J. Ahmed,&nbsp;Jawad K. Oleiwi,&nbsp;Qahtan A. Hamad","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00314-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00314-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study examines the influence of accelerated weathering on the mechanical properties of grafted binary blend (Room Temperature Vulcanized Silicone Rubber (RTV-SIR)/polyurethane Rubber (PUR) intended for prosthetic feet. Employing an accelerated weathering environment replicating natural conditions, encompassing UV radiation, condensation, and water spray, the samples produced by the vacuum desiccator were exposed for a duration of 100 h. Grafted binary blend samples of (PUR) with (10, 20, and 30 wt.% RTV-SIR) blended to achieve different properties to use for prosthetic foot, using 0.1% of Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as a coupling agent to enhance compatibility between components. To compare, mechanical tests characterised tensile, tear, compression, and hardness properties of weathered and unweather samples. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also analysed the efficiency of the TEOS treatment of binary rubber blend samples. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was employed to investigate the morphology and interfacial adhesion between the components. The findings illustrate increased mechanical properties with weathering exposure, and FESEM showed better interfacial adhesion between blend components for (10–20 wt. % RTV-SIR). This work proves that the binary rubber blend was more resistant to accelerated weathering than its components and is compatible with a weight ratio of less than 30% of RTV-SIR.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 3","pages":"481 - 492"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An in-depth investigation into filler-filler interactions in rubber compounds through dynamic analysis methods","authors":"C. Ajay,&nbsp;Rahul Das,&nbsp;Saikat Das Gupta,&nbsp;Dipankar Chattopadhyay,&nbsp;Mahuya Das,&nbsp;Rabindra Mukhopadhyay","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00308-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00308-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the complex dynamics of filler-filler interactions within rubber compounds, utilising advanced characterisation techniques. Effective dispersion of fillers within the rubber matrix is crucial for achieving optimal performance in vulcanised products. The absence of effective filler-rubber interaction can significantly impact the performance, reliability and lifespan of rubber products across diverse industries and applications. Hence, it is necessary to attain optimal filler dispersion and interaction within the rubber matrix to secure the desired properties and quality of the product. In this study, various industrial tools such as the Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA) and Rubber Process Analyser (RPA) were employed to thoroughly examine the filler-filler interplay. Notably, a strong correlation coefficient exceeding 0.9 was observed, indicating a high degree of consistency between these two techniques. While RPA offers valuable insights into the processing behaviour of rubber compounds, DMA provides more detailed information on the structural and mechanical changes occurring in the rubber-filler matrix during and after vulcanisation. The investigation focuses on two rubber matrices: Natural Rubber (NR) and Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR). Three series of carbon black with varying particle sizes (N134, N339, N774), as well as silica, either individually or in combination, were utilised as fillers. Additionally, the effects of annealing before and after vulcanisation, along with the resulting mechanical properties, were analysed in depth. The deeper insights afforded by DMA can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for performance limitations and product failures, such as insufficient filler dispersion or flocculation during vulcanisation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 3","pages":"449 - 461"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of imidazolium ionic liquid-modified carbon nanotubes on the swelling resistance and mechanical properties of ethylene-propylene diene monomer/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (EPDM/NBR) nanocomposites","authors":"S. Vishvanathperumal,&nbsp;A. Kannan,&nbsp;K. Ragupathy,&nbsp;M. Arun","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00307-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00307-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Establishing strong interfacial interactions between fillers and the polymer matrix is crucial for producing high-performance polymer nanocomposites. This study explores the development of ethylene-propylene diene monomer/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (EPDM/NBR) nanocomposites using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified with imidazolium-type ionic liquids (IL-CNTs). The mole percent uptake (MPU) of various solvents by EPDM/NBR nanocomposite membranes was examined to assess filler-polymer interactions. Cure properties were analysed using a moving die rheometer. Mechanical performance was evaluated through tensile, tear and hardness tests. Swelling resistance, compression set and crosslinking density were assessed to determine the impact of IL-CNT incorporation on the nanocomposite properties. Results showed that increasing CNT content led to higher torque and shorter cure times. The tensile strength and stress at 100% elongation of CNT- and IL-CNT-filled EPDM/NBR nanocomposites improved with increasing nanofiller content up to 5 phr, after which they began to decrease. The tensile strength and stress at 100% elongation for IL-CNT-filled composites saw improvements of 155% and 70%, respectively, compared to the base vulcanisates. Other properties, including tear strength, hardness, abrasion resistance, swelling resistance, compression set and crosslinking density, also increased with higher nanofiller content in IL-CNT-filled EPDM/NBR composites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 3","pages":"423 - 447"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing cure characteristics, mechanical properties and swelling resistance of chloroprene rubber/natural rubber composites with halloysite nanotubes","authors":"K. Parthasarathy,&nbsp;S. Baskar,&nbsp;S. Vishvanathperumal","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00306-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00306-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the enhancement of the mechanical and physical properties of a 50/50 chloroprene rubber (CR) and natural rubber (NR) blend by incorporating halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as a nanofiller. HNTs, a member of the nanoclay family, were added in varying concentrations up to 10 parts per hundred rubber (phr). Cure properties, including torques and cure times, were measured and analysed to understand the effects of HNT incorporation. The innovative aspect of this work lies in the exploration of HNTs’ potential to enhance mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, tear strength and elongation at break, as well as swelling resistance across different solvent environments. The swelling resistance was quantified through mole percent solvent uptake in aromatic, aliphatic and chlorinated solvents, revealing the influence of HNT loading and penetrant size. The study also employed field-emission scanning electron microscopy to examine the morphology of fractured composites. The findings demonstrated that the mechanical properties and swelling resistance of the CR/NR blend improved with increasing HNTs loading, with optimal enhancements observed at 6 phr of HNTs. This work offers valuable insights into the use of HNTs as a reinforcing agent for rubber blends, providing a pathway for developing materials with improved performance across multiple properties.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"325 - 343"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145167608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring crosslink density in rubber vulcanisates - a comprehensive analysis using a dynamic mechanical analyser and an insight into mechanical properties","authors":"C. Ajay,&nbsp;Saikat Das Gupta,&nbsp;Rabindra Mukhopadhyay,&nbsp;Dipankar Chattopadhyay,&nbsp;Mahuya Das","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00305-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00305-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A comprehensive analysis of crosslink density is crucial for understanding the functional characteristics of rubber vulcanisates. This study discusses a quantitative methodology for assessing crosslink density through the application of a Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA), in which the storage modulus is evaluated during a temperature sweep on cured vulcanisate samples. To confirm the DMA findings, the Molecular Weight Between Crosslinks (Mw) and crosslink density derived from DMA were compared with results obtained from the solvent method, utilising the Flory-Rehner approach. The solvent method involved refining the swelling and drying periods for natural rubber (NR) matrices. The investigation covered the diverse vulcanisation systems, including conventional, semi-efficient, and efficient systems, and altering the dosage of the Zinc oxide activator. Additionally, the study delved into the influence of crosslink density on mechanical properties such as hardness and stress-strain characteristics. This was accomplished by manipulating the cure time of rubber vulcanisates, systematically adjusting it both below and above the tC90 determined through rheometric studies, covering a broad spectrum of intervals. Significantly, the research established a correlation between crosslink density determined by DMA and the widely accepted solvent approach. This comprehensive study establishes the utilisation of the Dynamic Mechanical Analyser to study the crosslink density and enriches our understanding of rubber vulcanisates, providing valuable insights into the intricate relationship between crosslink density and mechanical properties across various vulcanisation systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"305 - 323"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145162359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphology and performance of nanosilica filler filled NR/NBR rubber composites","authors":"V. Sivaramakrishnan,&nbsp;S. Vishvanathperumal,&nbsp;V. Navaneethakrishnan,&nbsp;G. Anand","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00303-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00303-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the reinforcing effect of modified nanosilica (mNS) on natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites, with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) used as a compatibilizer. Nanosilica (NS)-filled nanocomposites were developed and systematically analyzed for their morphological, rheological, and mechanical properties. Key findings indicate that increasing the mNS content from 0 to 10 phr enhances mechanical performance, including hardness, tear resistance, and abrasion resistance. Notably, the 70/30 NR/NBR blend with 6 phr of mNS exhibited a 128% increase in tensile strength and a 58% rise in stress at 100% elongation compared to unfilled NR/NBR. These improvements are attributed to the high surface area and uniform dispersion of mNS, which enhance interfacial interactions within the polymer matrix. Furthermore, higher mNS concentrations improved swelling resistance, reinforcing the nanofiller’s effectiveness in enhancing overall composite performance. These findings highlight the potential of mNS-reinforced NR/NBR composites for advanced elastomer applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"269 - 289"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145171887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ground tyre rubber as an enhancer for waste plastic biodegradation: microscopic, kinetic and thermodynamic insights","authors":"Archisman Dasgupta,&nbsp;Prasenjit Dutta,&nbsp;Biswanath Bhunia","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00304-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00304-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Plastic waste is a major global issue because it takes a long time to decompose using current waste management techniques. This increasing concern about the breakdown of plastic waste has led to much interest in developing biopolymers. This study aims to investigate how adding ground tyre rubber (GTR) to high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can accelerate the biodegradation process of these plastic materials. Composite materials made from a plastic or polymer-GTR matrix are created by blending 90% to 50% polymer with GTR using a twin-screw extruder known as thermal blending method. Polymer-GTR composite materials are tested in a laboratory using a CIS 24 PLUS incubator at temperatures of 37 °C, 30 °C and 20 °C. The experiments included a combination of air, moisture and other factors that could affect the rate of biodegradation. After being exposed to the environment for 30, 60 and 90 days, samples are collected and analysed. Adding GTR to plastic can make it more porous, making it easier for bacteria to break down the material. Moreover, GTR helps microbes to attach and provide carbon source for their metabolism within the polymer matrices. The thermal stability of waste plastic-GTR biocomposite materials are indicated by a decrease in activation energy (HDPE = 20.63 to 17.93 kJmol⁻¹, PET = 18.8 to 15.95 kJmol⁻¹ and LDPE = 25.71 to 23.39 kJmol⁻¹). Estimated values for enthalpy decrease from 23.19 to 5.15 kJmol⁻¹, 25.77 to 5.15 kJmol⁻¹ and 48.96 to 43.81 kJmol⁻¹, whereas the entropy increases from − 335.38 to − 310.02 Jmol⁻¹ K⁻¹, − 333.22 to − 306.03 Jmol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and − 378.53 to − 370.38 Jmol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for HDPE, PET and LDPE respectively. In summary, the study discovered that adding GTR through thermal blending can boost the biodegradation of plastic waste. This environmentally friendly approach could help reduce pollution caused by plastic waste.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"291 - 303"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145171023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of energy storage potential within shape memory rubber nanocomposite films","authors":"Yi Wei Tan,&nbsp;Ai Bao Chai,&nbsp;Kim Yeow Tshai,&nbsp;Jee Hou Ho,&nbsp;Jiuke Mu,&nbsp;Shamsul Kamaruddin,&nbsp;Andri Andriyana","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00300-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00300-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Shape memory rubber (SMR) is a type of smart rubber capable of undergoing reversible transformations when exposed to external factors such as temperature. Lightly crosslinked natural rubber (NR) exhibits shape memory behaviour without requiring preliminary heat treatment making it a unique smart material. This study aims to develop rubber nanocomposite films reinforced with starch nanocrystals (SNC) for improvement of mechanical properties. To this end, the focus is on evaluating the shape memory effect (SME) and quantifying the energy storage potential of the SNC reinforced rubber composite films. Natural rubber latex (NRL) and SNC synthesized by acid hydrolysis were used as raw materials to fabricate the green shape memory natural rubber latex (SMNRL) films. It was found that the incorporation of SNC into NRL effectively enhanced the mechanical properties and SME of the rubber nanocomposite films. The tensile strength of the rubber nanocomposite film was increased by up to 206% upon addition of SNC while having no detrimental effect on the elasticity of the material. The excellent SME is demonstrated through high shape fixity (S_f) and shape recovery (S_r) achieving 93.3% and 100%, respectively. As a result of its shape fixing capability, the SMNRL film can store part of the applied energy showcasing its energy storage potential. The calculated stored energy is 20.6 MJ/m³ with a storage efficiency of 61.5%. In summary, SNC is an effective reinforcing filler showed through the increase in tensile strength. Moreover, addition of 8% SNC improved the S_f by 35% while having a positive impact on the energy storage potential of the rubber nanocomposite films.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"227 - 238"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145171039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epoxidised Philippine natural rubber for tough and versatile 3D printable resins: a mixture design and neural network approach","authors":"Roland Oliver A. Calabia,&nbsp;Joseph Emmanuel D. Gomez,&nbsp;Ian M. Lasala,&nbsp;Carlos Miguel A. Ligsay,&nbsp;Reymark D. Maalihan,&nbsp;Anita P. Aquino,&nbsp;Reygan H. Sangalang","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00302-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00302-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Natural rubber (NR), valued for its high toughness and elongation, was incorporated into digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing resins to enhance mechanical performance using epoxidised Philippine NR (EPNR), optimised by statistical and machine learning methods. EPNR blends (0–10%) with cationic photo-initiator (CPI) and photo-curable commercial resin (PCR) were formulated using a solvent blending technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry have confirmed successful epoxidation and improve thermal stability. The optimal formulation (6.36% EPNR, 2.10% CPI, and 91.54% PCR) achieved a toughness of 16,406.8 J/m³ and an elongation at break of 39.41%, marking a 78.1% improvement over unmodified PCR. Mixture design (MD) and artificial neural network (ANN) modelling yielded high predictive accuracy (R² ∼0.986), with ANN outperforming MD in minimising error. Guided by the trained ANN model, 3D printed structures exhibited improved chemical resistance and thermal stability, rivalling commercial resins. This work highlights the potential of EPNR as a reinforcement additive to enhance DLP resin performance, paving the way for innovative applications in additive manufacturing.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"255 - 267"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145167884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}