The effect of vulcanization in Natural Rubber (NR) on the properties of Epoxy/NR/Graphene conductive composite

Abstract

Natural rubber (NR) was added as secondary matrix and toughening agent into epoxy/GNP composites to improve properties of the composite. Density, mechanical, morphology, electrical conductivity and thermal stability test were carried out to investigate the improvement of natural rubber on the epoxy/GNP composite. Conductive graphene nanoplate (GNP) filled conductive composites were prepared from epoxy bisphenol A Epoxy/NR/GNP composites were prepared by using mechanical mixing technique. In the first point of study, addition of GNP into epoxy resin had found to improve density, mechanical properties and thermal stability of epoxy resin. Epoxy resin achieved percolation threshold when 0.8 vol. % of GNP was added. In the second part of study, effect of vulcanization of natural rubber on the properties of the composite was studied by varying the blend ratio of epoxy/unvulcanized NR and epoxy/vulcanized NR. Vulcanized natural rubber showed better improvement in the aspect of mechanical and electrical conductivity compared to unvulcanized natural rubber. Morphology of epoxy/GNP blended with unvulcanized natural rubber and vulcanized natural rubber show immiscible phase of natural rubber in epoxy matrix.