Improving the mechanical properties and curing characteristics of styrene-butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber composites by incorporating silicon carbide

Thermal conductive filler, silicon carbide (SiC), has been investigated for its effects on the mechanical properties, microstructural properties, physical properties, and kinetic characteristics of styrene-butadiene-rubber/butadiene rubber (SBR/BR). SBR/BR-SiC's tensile strength, strain at break, and toughness were improved by 5 phr SiC content within the composite. Specifically, there was a 44% increase in tensile strength, a 51% increase in strain at break, and impressive 113% increase in toughness. Additionally, there was a notable reduction of approximately similar to 15% in the compression set. The calculated crosslink density using the Flory-Rehner equation proved that the SiC filler increased the covalent bonds between the polymer chains during the curing reaction. The rheometry results showed a reduction in the scorch and optimum curing times by similar to 10% via the incorporation of SiC. The addition of 5 phr SiC decreased the curing duration time by 47%. The scanning electron microscopy images taken from the samples at different magnifications showed that the particle agglomeration after SiC = 5 phr was the main factor in reducing the SiC performance in the composite.