Advanced properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube elastomer composites

Multiwalled nanotube (MWNT)/fluoroelastomer (FKM) composites were synthesised through a simple and cost efficient method. MWNTs were dispersed in the FKM by an open two-roll mill followed by vulcanisation inside a compression moulding machine. The morphologies and rheological and mechanical properties of the MWNT/FKM composites with different MWNT mass fractions were systematically investigated. Compared with the carbon black (CB)/FKM composites fabricated via the same method, the MWNT/FKM composites demonstrated higher degree of crosslinking and better mechanical properties. By adding 5 wt-% MWNTs in the FKM matrix, the hardness, tensile strength and abrasion resistance of the FKM were significantly improved by 12, 120 and 13% respectively. Compared to CB, MWNTs show higher reinforcing efficiency due to their higher aspect ratio and surface area that result in higher crosslink density and stronger filler-polymer interaction.