6 Summary
Mechanisms governing the nonlinear viscoelasticity of 2D nanoplatelets filled
elastomers are explored in the present chapter. Filler size, concentration and the
entanglement characteristics of the elastomer matrix appear to be the primary
factors determining both reinforcement and nonlinear viscoelasticity of the
nanocomposites. The nanofillers provide large interfacial area for enough
elastomer-filler interactions and both their particle spacing and size are of comparable dimensions to the macromolecular coil. The effects of filler surface treatment,
filler networking, and matrix modification indicate the entanglement structure in the
matrix as the dominant factor in determining the viscoelastic behavior of the
composite. Trapping elastomer chains at the filler surface results in higher entanglement density and this density varies with distance from the filler surface based
on filler surface treatment and its interactions with the matrix polymer. Different
models proposed to explain the nonlinear viscoelasticity and to find out crosslink
density are discussed. The loss of trapped entanglements resulting from the stress
(or strain)-induced debonding of chain segments from the filler surface facilitates
the relaxation of the matrix entanglement structure, resulting in the observed
viscoelastic nonlinearity. Nanoclay and graphene filled elastomers have much
significance in engineering applications and their nonlinear behavior should be
considered based on filler agglomeration phenomena and is studied here.
References
1. Sadasivuni KK, Ponnamma D, Thomas S, Grohens Y (2014) Evolution from graphite to
graphene elastomer composites. Prog Polym Sci 39:749–780
2. Sadasivuni KK, Castro M, Saiter A, Delbreilh L, Feller JF, Thomas S, Grohens Y (2013)
Development of poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene)/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for
barrier, dielectric and sensing applications. Mater Lett 96:109–112
3. Kawahara S, Kawazura T, Sawada T, Isono Y (2003) Preparation and characterization of
natural rubber dispersed in nano-matrix. Polymer 44:4527–4531
4. Paiphansiri U, Tangboriboonrat P (2005) Prevulcanisation of skim latex: morphology and its
use in natural rubber based composite material. Colloid Polym Sci 284:251–257
5. Peng Z, Kong LX, Li SD, Chen Y, Huang MF (2007) Self-assembled natural rubber/silica
nanocomposites: its preparation and characterization. Compos Sci Technol 67:3130–3139
6. Payne AR (1962) The dynamic properties of carbon black-loaded natural rubber vulcanizates.
Part I. J Appl Polym Sci 6:57–63
7. Kraus GJ (1984) Mechanical losses in carbon black filled rubbers. Appl Polym Sci Appl Polym
Symp 39:75–92
8. Heinrich G, Kluppel M (2002) Recent advances in the theory of filler networking in elastomers. Adv Polym Sci 160:1–44
9. Maier PG, Go ¨ritz D (1996) Molecular interpretation on the Payne effect. Kautsch Gummi
Kunstst 49:18–21
10. Ponnamma D, Sadasivuni KK, Strankowski M, Guo Q, Thomas S (2013) Synergistic effect of
multi walled carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxides in natural rubber for sensing
application. Soft Matter 9:10343–10353
Nonlinear Viscoelasticity of Two Dimensional Filler Reinforced Rubber. . .
55
Mechanisms governing the nonlinear viscoelasticity of 2D nanoplatelets filled
elastomers are explored in the present chapter. Filler size, concentration and the
entanglement characteristics of the elastomer matrix appear to be the primary
factors determining both reinforcement and nonlinear viscoelasticity of the
nanocomposites. The nanofillers provide large interfacial area for enough
elastomer-filler interactions and both their particle spacing and size are of comparable dimensions to the macromolecular coil. The effects of filler surface treatment,
filler networking, and matrix modification indicate the entanglement structure in the
matrix as the dominant factor in determining the viscoelastic behavior of the
composite. Trapping elastomer chains at the filler surface results in higher entanglement density and this density varies with distance from the filler surface based
on filler surface treatment and its interactions with the matrix polymer. Different
models proposed to explain the nonlinear viscoelasticity and to find out crosslink
density are discussed. The loss of trapped entanglements resulting from the stress
(or strain)-induced debonding of chain segments from the filler surface facilitates
the relaxation of the matrix entanglement structure, resulting in the observed
viscoelastic nonlinearity. Nanoclay and graphene filled elastomers have much
significance in engineering applications and their nonlinear behavior should be
considered based on filler agglomeration phenomena and is studied here.
References
1. Sadasivuni KK, Ponnamma D, Thomas S, Grohens Y (2014) Evolution from graphite to
graphene elastomer composites. Prog Polym Sci 39:749–780
2. Sadasivuni KK, Castro M, Saiter A, Delbreilh L, Feller JF, Thomas S, Grohens Y (2013)
Development of poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene)/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for
barrier, dielectric and sensing applications. Mater Lett 96:109–112
3. Kawahara S, Kawazura T, Sawada T, Isono Y (2003) Preparation and characterization of
natural rubber dispersed in nano-matrix. Polymer 44:4527–4531
4. Paiphansiri U, Tangboriboonrat P (2005) Prevulcanisation of skim latex: morphology and its
use in natural rubber based composite material. Colloid Polym Sci 284:251–257
5. Peng Z, Kong LX, Li SD, Chen Y, Huang MF (2007) Self-assembled natural rubber/silica
nanocomposites: its preparation and characterization. Compos Sci Technol 67:3130–3139
6. Payne AR (1962) The dynamic properties of carbon black-loaded natural rubber vulcanizates.
Part I. J Appl Polym Sci 6:57–63
7. Kraus GJ (1984) Mechanical losses in carbon black filled rubbers. Appl Polym Sci Appl Polym
Symp 39:75–92
8. Heinrich G, Kluppel M (2002) Recent advances in the theory of filler networking in elastomers. Adv Polym Sci 160:1–44
9. Maier PG, Go ¨ritz D (1996) Molecular interpretation on the Payne effect. Kautsch Gummi
Kunstst 49:18–21
10. Ponnamma D, Sadasivuni KK, Strankowski M, Guo Q, Thomas S (2013) Synergistic effect of
multi walled carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxides in natural rubber for sensing
application. Soft Matter 9:10343–10353
Nonlinear Viscoelasticity of Two Dimensional Filler Reinforced Rubber. . .
55