High Performance Elastomer Materials An Engineering Approach AAP Research Notes on Chemistry Series

This book presents selected papers on various aspects of rubber engineering, technology, and exploitation. The contributions range from new methods of the modification of filler surface and crosslinks structure of rubber vulcanizates, through modern functional elastomer composites, to aspects of their thermal stability, flammability, and ozone degradation.

Each chapter contains a brief introduction to a particular topic, a description of the experimental techniques, and a discussion on the results obtained, followed by conclusions. The book will help to broaden the knowledge of researchers in the field of rubber compounding, crosslinking, and behavior under various exploitation conditions.

The research and development presented in this book has potential for industrial applications as well as for new materials and technologies. The book also details theoretical background to a number of experimental techniques, which should make it interesting to research students and professionals.

Preface. Part 1: Structure of Elastomers. Segmental Mobility in Crystalline Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Studied by EPR Probe Technique. Interfacial Layer in Blends of Elastomers with Different Polarities. Influence of Molecular Structure of Components on Crystallinity and Mechanical Properties of Ldpe/Epdm Blends. A Study on the Structural Features of Phb-Epc Blends and Their Thermal Degradation. Part 2: Interphase Elastomer-Filler Interactions. The Structure of Nanofiller in Elastomeric Particulate-Filled Nanocomposites. The Description of Nanofiller Particles Aggregation Within the Frameworks of Irreversible Aggregation Models. The Interfacial Regions Formation Mechanism in Elastomeric Particulate-Filled Nanocomposites. Boron Oxide as a Fluxing Agent for Silicone Rubber-Based Ceramizable Composites. Investigation of Rubber with Microdispersed Wastes of Silicon Carbide. Part 3: Modification of Elastomers and Their Components. Effect of Thermo-Mechano-Chemical Changes of Natural Rubber on Some Characteristics of Rubber Compounds and Vulcanized Rubbers. Radiation Crosslinking of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber: The Influence of Sulphur and Dibenzothiazole Disulphide on the Process. Rubber Vulcanizates Containing Plasmochemically Modified Fillers. The Study of Modification Process of the Indian Rubber with Functional Groups by Ozonolysis of Latex. Influence of the Structure of Polymer Material on Modification of the Surface Layer of Iron Counterface in Tribological Contact. Part 4: Stability of Elastomers. A Research Note on Morphology and Stability of Polyhydroxybutyrate Electrospun Nanofibers. A Comprehensive Review on Application, Properties and Stabilities of Cnt and the Cnt Sponges. Thermal Stability of Elastic Polyurethane. Index.

Dariusz M. Bielinski, PhD, is a professor at the Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology at Lodz University of Technology, Poland, and is also affiliated with the Division of Elastomers and Rubber Technology at the Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes in Piastow, Poland. His research interests include material engineering, polymer chemistry and technology, polymer physics, surface engineering, and tribology. He has published many scientific papers, books, and patents, and he is an editorial board member of several professional journals and has worked on many technical program committees.

Ryszard Kozlowski,PhD, is the author and co-author of more than 250 original papers, 21 patents and know-how licenses, and 24 implemented technologies. He leads the activity of the Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes, Branch House for Elastomers and Rubber Processing, Piastow, Poland. He initiated and conducted interdisciplinary research on broadening raw material resources and utilization of natural fibers (flax, hemp, wool, and silk), retting, and extracting and processing of bast fibers, among other subjects. His special interest is in the flammability and toxicity of diversified fibers, polymers, fabrics, and products, including biocomposites, with a focus on the high practical aspect of this research. His specialty is flame retardancy of polymers and modern environmentally friendly composites, and he conducts applied science in the scope of natural polymeric materials.

Gennady E. Zaikov, DSc, is head of the Polymer Division at the N. M. Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, and professor at Moscow State Academy of Fine Chemical Technology, Russia, as well as professor at Kazan National Research Technological University, Kazan, Russia. He is also a prolific author, researcher, and lecturer. He has received several awards for his work, including