Synergistic Reinforcement of Ethylene–Butene–Terpolymer Rubber by Graphene and Zinc Dimethacrylate: Multicrosslinking and Underlying Mechanisms

The growing demand for advanced rubber composites highlights the need for enhanced performance and durability. This study explores the synergistic reinforcement effect of graphene nanosheets (GNs) and zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA) on ethylene–butene–terpolymer (EBT) composites, focusing on their microscopic reinforcement mechanisms. In situ-modified GNs and ZDMA are employed for co-crosslinking. The impact of varying GNs contents and ZDMA ratios is analyzed, with a focus on their effects on the material's mechanical, thermal, and dynamic properties. GNs significantly enhance tensile strength, elongation at break, and hysteresis heat generation, while ZDMA further improves strength and thermal stability by optimizing the crosslinking network. Their synergy markedly boosts the performance of EBT composites, making them ideal for high-strength, high-temperature applications. The study provides design guidelines for advanced automotive rubber components and lays a foundation for optimizing EBT composites.