Compatibility, mechanical and rheological properties of hybrid rubber NR/EPDM-g-MA/EPDM/graphene oxide nanocomposites: Theoretical and experimental analyses

In this study, a series of elastomeric nanocomposites based on specific amounts of natural rubber (NR)/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) blends which are compatibilized with ethylene propylene diene monomer-grafted-maleic anhydride (EPDM-g-MA) and different amounts of graphene oxide (GO) (1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 phr) were prepared with melt mixing method. Dispersion of nanoplatelets within rubber matrix were proven with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The modified microstructure of samples showed that the fracture surfaces of nanocomposites were rougher than blend samples. Also, the addition of compatibilizer and nanoplatelets on mechanical and rheological properties of samples were evaluated. Theoretical and experimental mechanical properties of studied samples in correlation with their morphologies were studied with Mori-Tanaka and DMTA analysis, respectively. The mechanical properties of samples showed that by the incorporation of GO, fatigue strength, hardness, tensile strength, elongation-at-break and modulus increased. In end of all analysis was found good agreement between experimental and theoretical results.