Design of Epoxy Modified Recycled Rubber-Based Composites: Effects of Different Contents of Nano-Silica, Alumina and Graphene Nanoplatelets Modification on the Toughening Behavior

Year 2020, , 188 - 199, 01.03.2020

Alaeddin Burak İrez , Emin Bayraktar

https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.585446

Cited By: 3

Abstract

Multifunctional composite materials are recently drawing attention in many field including automotive, aeronautic and transport. The primary goal of this work is to propose low-cost and lightweight material for the automotive industry. In this study, recycled rubber-based composites were developed by using low cost manufacturing methods. At the beginning, recycled rubbers were devulcanized by microwaves to improve the bounding quality with the epoxy. Then, fine particles of recycled rubbers and solid epoxy were mixed together. After incorporating and rigorously distributing various contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs), silica and γ-alumina particles in the matrix, hot compaction was used to manufacture the composites. As the second objective of this study, effect of reinforcement 5-10-15 wt. % of silica, and various contents of GnPs and γ-alumina particles on toughening was examined. In this regard, notched specimens were used to determine critical stress intensity factor and critical strain energy release rate. Fracture toughness showed some fluctuations by the incremental quantity of the reinforcements. Moreover, flexural strength and elasticity modulus were calculated by means of bending tests (three-point, 3PB). Positive effects of reinforcements on elasticity modulus were observed by 3PB tests. In addition, Charpy impact tests were done to assess energy absorbing capacity of the composites. To check the dispersion quality and to identify toughening mechanisms, scanning electronic microscopy was used. The main toughening mechanisms in these composites were identified as crack pinning, crack deflection shear band formation as well as. Finally, wear resistance of the specimens was assessed by macro-scratch tests. 

Keywords

Fracture toughness, Recycled rubber, Wear resistance, Damage mechanisms

Supporting Institution

Supmeca Paris

Project Number

Theses 0021

Thanks

We acknowledge the financial support of Supmeca - ISMEP Research Grant Theses 0021.

References

• Reference1 May, C., “Epoxy Resins: Chemistry and Technology”, 2 nd ed., CRC Press, London, 46-48, (2018).
• Reference2 Branch, M., “Preparation of nano-scale α-Al2O3 powder by the sol-gel method”, Ceramics–Silikáty, 55: 378–383, (2011).
• Reference3 Zhang, Z. and Lei, H., “Preparation of α-alumina/polymethacrylic acid composite abrasive and its CMP performance on glass substrate”, Microelectronic Engineering, 85: 714–720, (2008).
• Reference4 Geim, A. K. and Novoselov, K. S., “The rise of graphene”, Nature materials, 6: 183–191, (2007).
• Reference5 Balandin, A. A., Ghosh, S., Bao, W., Calizo, I., Teweldebrhan, D., Miao, F., and Lau, C. N., “Superior thermal conductivity of single-layer graphene”, Nano letters, 8: 902–907, (2008).
• Reference6 Scarpa, F., Adhikari, S. and Phani, A.S., “Effective elastic mechanical properties of single layer graphene sheets”, Nanotechnology, 20(6): 65709, (2009).
• Reference7 Wichmann, M.H.G., Schulte, K. and Wagner, H.D., “On nanocomposite toughness”, Composites Science and Technology, 68: 329–331, (2008).
• Reference8 Liang, Y.L. and Pearson, R.A., “Toughening mechanisms in epoxy–silica nanocomposites (ESNs)”, Polymer, 50: 4895–4905, (2009).
• Reference9 Srivastava, I. and Koratkar, N., “Fatigue and fracture toughness of epoxy nanocomposites”, Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 62: 50–57, (2010).
• Reference10 Nielsen, L. E. and R. F. Landel., “Mechanical properties of polymers and composites”, 2 nd ed., CRC Press, New York, 118-120, (1994).
• Reference11 Rothon, R., “Particulate-filled polymer composites”, iSmithers Rapra Publishing, Shawbury, 117-128, (2003).
• Reference12 Rothon, R., “Mineral Fillers in Thermoplastics: Filler Manufacture and Characterisation”, Mineral Fillers in Thermoplastics I, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 67-107, (1999).
• Reference13 Wetzel, B., Haupert, F. and Zhang, M.Q., “Epoxy nanocomposites with high mechanical and tribological performance”, Composites Science and Technology, 63: 2055–2067, (2003).
• Reference14 Kaynak, C., Celikbilek, C. and Akovali, G., “Use of silane coupling agents to improve epoxy–rubber interface”, European Polymer Journal, 39: 1125–1132, (2003).
• Reference15 Shokoohi, S., Arefazar, A. and Khosrokhavar, R., “Silane coupling agents in polymer-based reinforced composites: a review”, Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 27: 473–485, (2008).
• Reference16 Zhang, G., Wang, F., Dai, J. and Huang, Z., “Effect of Functionalization of Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Silicone Rubber Composites”, Materials, 9: 92, (2016).
• Reference17 Dobrotă, D. and Dobrotă, G., “An innovative method in the regeneration of waste rubber and the sustainable development”, Journal of Cleaner Production, 172: 3591–3599, (2018).
• Reference18 Jacob, C. and De, S.K., “Powdered rubber waste in rubber compounds”, Rubber recycling, 213-246, (2005).
• Reference19 Jia, L. C., Li, Y. K. and Yan, D.X., “Flexible and efficient electromagnetic interference shielding materials from ground tire rubber”, Carbon, 121: 267-273, (2017).
• Reference20 Bilgili, E., Dybek, A., Arastoopour, H. and Bernstein, B., “A New Recycling Technology: Compression Molding of Pulverized Rubber Waste in the Absence of Virgin Rubber”, Journal of Elastomers & Plastics, 35:235–256, (2003).
• Reference21 Pathak, A.K., Borah, M., Gupta, A., Yokozeki, T. and Dhakate, SR., “Improved mechanical properties of carbon fiber/graphene oxide-epoxy hybrid composites”, Composites Science and Technology, 135: 28–38, (2016).
• Reference22 Zotti, A., Zuppolini, S., Zarrelli, M. and Borriello, A., “Fracture Toughening Mechanisms in Epoxy Adhesives”, Adhesives-Applications and Properties, IntechOpen, (2016).
• Reference23 Kaynak, C., Sipahi-Saglam, E. and Akovali, G., “A fractographic study on toughening of epoxy resin using ground tyre rubber”, Polymer, 42: 4393–4399, (2001).
• Reference24 Kinloch, A.J. and Young, R.J., “Fracture Behavior of Polymers”, Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht, 31-32, (1995).
• Reference25 Manjunatha, C.M., Taylor, A.C., Kinloch, A.J. and Sprenger, S., “The cyclic-fatigue behaviour of an epoxy polymer modified with micron-rubber and nano-silica particles”, Journal of Materials Science, 44: 4487–4490, (2009).
• Reference26 Irez, A. B., Bayraktar, E., and Miskioglu, I., “Flexural fatigue damage analyses of recycled rubber‐modified epoxy‐based composites reinforced with alumina fibres”, Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures, 42(4): 959-971, (2019).
• Reference27 Yee, A.F. and Pearson R.A., “Toughening mechanisms in elastomer-modified epoxies”, Journal of Materials Science, 21: 2462–2474, (1986).
• Reference28 Zhang, J., Deng, S., Wang, Y. and Ye, L., “Role of rigid nanoparticles and CTBN rubber in the toughening of epoxies with different cross-linking densities”, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 80: 82–94, (2016).
• Reference29 Zhou, W.Y., Qi, S.H., Zhao H.Z. and Liu, N.L., “Thermally conductive silicone rubber reinforced with boron nitride particle”, Polymer composites, 28: 23–28, (2007).
• Reference30 Liang, Y.L. and Pearson, RA., “The toughening mechanism in hybrid epoxy-silica-rubber nanocomposites (HESRNs)”, Polymer, 51: 4880–4890, (2010).
• Reference31 Pereira, A.C., Monteiro, S.N., De Assis, F.S., Margem, F.M., Da Luz, F.S. and De Oliviera Braga, F., “Charpy impact tenacity of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with aligned jute fibers”, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 6: 312–316, (2017).
• Reference32 Ye, Y., Chen, H., Wu, J. and Ye, L., “High impact strength epoxy nanocomposites with natural nanotubes”, Polymer, 48: 6426–6433, (2007).
• Reference33 Irez, A.B., Bayraktar, E. and Miskioglu, I., “Recycled and devulcanized rubber modified epoxy-based composites reinforced with nano-magnetic iron oxide, Fe3O4”, Composites Part B: Engineering, 148: 1–13, (2018).
• Reference34 Zanchet, A., Carli, L. N., Giovanela, M., Brandalise, R. N., and Crespo, J. S., “Use of styrene butadiene rubber industrial waste devulcanized by microwave in rubber composites for automotive application”, Materials & Design, 39: 437–443, (2012).