Properties of alumina nanoparticle‐filled nitrile‐butadiene‐rubber/phenolic‐resin blend prepared by melt mixing

Abstract Effect of alumina nanoparticle (ANP) on the properties of rubber compounds based on nitrile‐butadiene‐rubber (NBR) and NBR/phenolic‐resin (PH) blend is examined. To investigate the surface characteristics of the nanoparticles on the performance of nanoalumina‐filled compounds, trimethoxyvinylsilane (MVS) is attached chemically on the surface of ANP through an appropriate functionalization process. Various NBR and NBR/PH compounds filled with ANP and functionalized ANP (f‐ANP) are prepared via melt mixing using traditional open two‐roll mill. Microscopic analysis carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals good dispersion of nanoalumina within the rubber matrix, indicating the effectiveness of the melt mixing for fabrication of the rubber/alumina nanocomposites. Nanocomposites of NBR and NBR/PH are subjected to various physical and mechanical tests including swelling, tensile, abrasion, and thermal tests and the role of ANP and f‐ANP on these properties are discussed. The results obtained based on this analysis suggest that as‐received ANP can provide good interaction with NBR possibly due to hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl group present on the nanoparticle surface and acrylonitrile group of NBR. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers