Experimental determining the mechanical and stiffness properties of natural rubber FRT triangle elastic joint composite reinforcement by glass fibers and micro/nano particles

Rubber is a type of material widely used in industries for waterproofing, storing and transporting fluids, energy shock dampers, thermal insulation, and corrosion protection. Natural Rubber (NR) polymer is a material that is extensively used in the automotive industries because of its unique properties such as high strength, low weight, and excellent corrosion resistance. In this study, the mechanical properties of NR based car bumpers were investigated by adding reinforcing particles to it. The used reinforcing materials include SiC, MgO, Fe2O3 particles and Glass fibers, which were added to the base material at different sizes and weight percentages including 4% and 8%. Composite samples were made by mixing NR with reinforcement using special rollers and then vulcanized in the furnace at a specific temperature, to achieve standard torque, for each individual sample. To better characterize produced samples and recognizing of elements and their bonds, FT-IR, TGA, and XRD analysis were done. All specimens were subjected to hardness and tensile tests; their axial and radial stiffness, as well as their component durability tests, were investigated and compared with the base material. The maximum results were obtained from the mechanical property tests belonged to the reinforced specimen with 8%w.t. Glass fibers, that the ultimate tensile strength, hardness, and durability were 57%, 32%, and 33% higher than that of the non-reinforced NR sample, respectively. The SEM and SEM-MAP images of the fracture cross-section showed a crack growth inhibition effect in the samples by adding glass fibers.