Properties and behaviors of polymeric systems containing mineral fillers Doctoral Thesis Summary

Zdeněk Závorka

Compounds of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and various fillers including silica, nanoclays, and other common white fillers, were prepared. The performance of these compounds was assessed for gas permeation resistance, static mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation, hardness) and dynamic mechanical properties (G’, G”, tan δ.,). Morphology of the compounds prepared was investigated using XRD, TEM and FTIR techniques. The addition of nanoclay fillers improved all tested mechanical properties. Compounds with nanoclay fillers also exhibited a significant decrease in permeation rate for refrigerant R-134a. Presence of silica in NBR compound improved exfoliation of nanoclay.