Preparation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Fluorocarbon Composite Fillers For Enhancing Fluororubber's Mechanical and Flame Retardant Performance

Abstract

To solve the flammable problem of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), a novel single-walled carbon nanotubes/fluorocarbon composite filler (SWCNTs@FC) was prepared by high-temperature carbonization method. The SWCNTs@FC shows a unique structure, with amorphous fluorocarbon attached to its surface, which facilitates mechanical interlocking with the EPDM. Meanwhile, the existence of fluorine in SWCNTs@FC is beneficial to improve the flame retardancy of EPDM. After compounding with the EPDM, the influence of SWCNTs@FC content on the mechanical and flame retardant properties of EPDM were studied. The results show that with the increase of filler content, the tensile strength and anti-compression permanent deformation of EPDM increases first and then decreases, while the hardness and limiting oxygen index gradually increases. When the amount of SWCNTs@FC is 5 phr, the comprehensive properties of EPDM are the best. The tensile strength, hardness and limiting oxygen index are increased by 81.2%, 5.4% and 15.0% respectively, and the compression set rate reaches 9.9%. In conclusion, the novel SWCNTs@FC dual composite filler exhibits excellent flame retardancy and mechanical properties improvement effect, and has great potential for industrial application.

Keywords: A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs), B. Mechanical properties, B. Flame retardation, Fluorocarbon