Influence of swelling phenomenon on filler structure in nitrile-silica nanocomposite as resistant rubber compound to solvent

Presence of filler in the polymeric materials changes the mechanical, dynamic-mechanical, rheological properties and even the swelling behavior of rubber composite due to mechanisms such as hydrodynamics, polymer-filler and filler-filler interactions. Swelling in rubber composites directly affects the polymer chains, also can affect indirectly other structures in composites such as the filler network and reduce mechanical properties suddenly. In this study, the nitrile rubber-nanosilica composite containing different concentrations of modified nanosilica was prepared and the composite structure was studied through rheological, mechanical, dynamic-mechanical tests. Also it was found that the filler network containing over percolation threshold 13phr of filler concentration has a significant contribution to the mechanical properties of composites. To determine the swelling effect on the prepared composite structure, with different degrees of solubility were used. The mechanical properties of the samples were measured in equilibrium swelling state for each of the solvents The decrement of the mechanical properties between the dry samples and swelled ones containing 14.4, 20 and phr 6.25 silica in solvent with 15% toluene is significant. These intensive changes in mechanical properties that happen at the low degree of swelling are attributed to the removal of the filler network. Therefore, controlling the swelling of rubber parts in adjacent to the solvent, plays the fundamental role in their performance.