Mechanical properties of thermoplastic natural rubber reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

This study investigated the mechanical properties of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) nanocomposites reinforced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The TPNR nanocomposites were prepared using melt blending method from polypropylene, natural rubber, and liquid natural rubber as a compatibilizer, respectively, with 1—7 wt% of MWNTs. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus increased by almost 39% and 30%, respectively, at 3 wt% of MWNTs. The elongation at break decreased with increase in the percentage of MWNTs. The maximum impact strength was recorded at 5 wt% of MWNTs which was increased by 74% as compared with a pristine TPNR sample. The effect of MWNTs was also confirmed by DMA; it showed that the storage modulus E′, loss modulus E′′, and glass transition temperature (T g ) also increased for all MWNT reinforced samples. SEM micrographs confirm the effect of good dispersion of MWNTs and their interfacial bonding in TPNR.