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This research paper investigates the frictional and thermomechanical properties of a copper (Cu) free non-asbestos organic (NAO) composite for developing brake friction material for automotive/railway applications. Reduced-scale brake composites were manufactured and tested in a pin on disc tribometer. The effect of aluminum (Al) chips on the dry sliding wear behavior of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) modified phenolic resin-based reduced-scale friction composites was investigated. Other common ingredients of friction materials like fiber, filler, and friction modifiers were not included to get the specific effect of Al on the various properties of the composites. Four composites were prepared with varying Al content, for example, 25, 50, 75, and 100 phr (parts per hundred resins). The average COF increases by ∼70% for 75 phr Al loaded composite (optimum composition) compared to the base composite (devoid of Al). However, mechanical properties, such as hardness and flexure strength, decrease with increasing phr of Al, although compressive strength does not change significantly. The optimum composite exhibits the lowest specific wear rate among Al chips loaded composites. The optimum composite also shows nearly three times improvement in thermal conductivity compared to the base composite. The wear behavior of the composites has been analyzed from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric elastomers with conducting inorganic fillers offer a wide range of uses, including capacitive energy storage, elastomer sensors, actuators, and many more. In this approach, low dielectric loss and high dielectric constant may be made possible by ternary composites that use metal alloy components as reinforcing fillers. Here, Cu-based alloy was added to acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) to produce ternary rubber composites. Unfortunately, the Cu–Al–Zn alloy's material incompatibility with the rubber matrix typically leads to phase separation, void formation, and particle aggregation, all of which have a dramatic negative impact on performance. Using 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate as a coupling agent, Cu–Al–Zn alloy particles were uniformly dispersed onto the NBR rubber matrix through surface modification. By using scanning electron microscopy, the appropriate reinforcement of modified Cu-based alloy particles into NBR was carefully examined. The effect of modified Cu–Al–Zn alloy loading on the swelling behavior of the composite was also investigated. The findings show that the shape and dispersion state of modified Cu–Al–Zn alloy were important for the dielectric characteristics of the NBR compounds. By adding reinforced modified Cu-based alloy to the NBR matrix, mechanical characteristics were significantly improved. The uniform dispersion of modified Cu–Al–Zn alloy particles and strong interfacial compatibility with rubber matrix are the reasons for the outstanding performance of NBR composites, which suggests high-performance dielectric composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to obtain high dielectric properties nitrile rubber (NBR) dielectric elastomer composites, in this work, polypyrrole (PPy) was encapsulated on the surface of SrTiO3 (STO) ceramic particles, and an insulating layer of poly (catechol/polyamine) (PCPA) was also covered on the outer surface of the STO‐PPy core‐shell particles (denoted as STO‐PPy‐PCPA particles), then the dielectric elastomer composites were prepared by adding STO and STO‐PPy‐PCPA to NBR, respectively. Due to the electrical conductivity of PPy, the dielectric constant of the STO‐PPy‐PCPA particles increases substantially. At the same time, the insulating layer of PCPA further prevents current leakage from the composite, which not only avoids premature electrical breakdown but also effectively reduces the dielectric loss. Compared with pure NBR, the dielectric constant of the prepared dielectric elastomer composites increased from 13 to 17.19 (20 phr STO‐PPy‐PCPA/NBR), and the actuated strain increased from 3.28 % to 13.86 % (5 phr STO‐PPy‐PCPA/NBR), which is 4.2 times that of pure NBR. This work successfully solves the current problems of requiring a large amount of ceramics to improve the dielectric constant and the tendency of conductive particles to agglomerate and premature breakdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights In this paper, carboxyl‐terminated nitrile rubber (CTBN) and Nano cerium oxide (n‐CeO2) were used to toughen epoxy resin (EP), and the effects of toughening agents on the mechanical and thermal properties of EP were studied. Orthogonal experiments determined that the ideal toughener proportions are 20 wt% CTBN and 1 wt% n‐CeO2, under which the resin demonstrated superior mechanical characteristics. The combined application of CTBN and n‐CeO2 significantly enhanced the resin's mechanical properties, surpassing the effects of individual particle toughening. Compared with pure EP, the impact, flexural, and tensile strengths of the resin‐cured product synergistically toughened by CTBN and n‐CeO2 increased by 462%, 136%, and 110%, respectively, and the flexural and Young's moduli increased by 38% and 35%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the cured resin. The results indicate that incorporating CTBN and n‐CeO2 reduces the reaction activation energy, thereby accelerating the curing reaction and facilitating its progression. The addition of nanoparticles enhances the maximum weight loss temperature of the cured resin, thereby improving its thermal stability. CTBN and n‐CeO2 particles create a uniform phase separation structure within the resin, enhancing its toughness and strength. Furthermore, the impact fracture mode of the cured resin transitions from brittle to tough fracture, demonstrating a significant toughening effect. This provides an effective method for the toughening modification of EP. The synergistic use of CTBN and n‐CeO2 enhances the toughness of EP. The incorporation of nanoparticles improves the thermal stability of the cured resin. The addition of CTBN and n‐CeO2 accelerates the curing reaction rate. The inclusion of toughening agents transforms the fracture mode of the cured resin from brittle to tough fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitumen shows visco-elastic behavior, exhibiting both elastic and viscous properties as predicted by dynamic response and phase angle. Modern asphalt bituminous pavements face issues such as early-stage fatigue cracks, rutting, and permanent deformations due to low-temperature cracking, high-temperature deformation, moisture susceptibility, and overloading. These pavement distresses result in the formation of potholes, alligator cracks, and various deformations, which accelerate the need for rehabilitation and maintenance. To address these concerns, this study focused on utilizing Nitrile Butadiene Rubber derived from surgical gloves as an additive in conventional asphalt pavements to assess its effect on stiffness. Nitrile Butadiene Rubber was added in intervals of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% to conventional bituminous pavement. The rheological properties, marshall properties, dynamic modulus, and phase angle were evaluated for varying percentages of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber at different temperature, and frequency. The dynamic response was determined using a simple performance tester at four different temperatures (4.4 °C, 21.1 °C, 37.8 °C, and 54.4 °C) and six different frequencies (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 25 Hz). Response surface methodology was employed to establish a relationship between input and output variables and to optimize the amount of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber in the mix based on dynamic modulus and phase angle. The study concluded that adding up to 6% of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber improved Marshall stability, while higher percentages led to reduced stability. A similar trend was observed in the dynamic modulus, which peaked with the addition of 6% Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, regardless of frequency and temperature. The response surface methodology model indicated that coupling the percentage of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber with frequency increased the dynamic modulus at a constant temperature, with the highest value occurring at 4.4 °C. However, the dynamic modulus decreased as the temperature rose for the same combinations of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber percentages and frequencies. Numerical optimization suggested that a maximum of 5.9% Nitrile Butadiene Rubber should be added to achieve the highest dynamic modulus and lowest phase angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using biological/renewable resources as filler or modifier in both thermoplastics and rubbers has been of a great interest in order to reduce negative effects of traditional petroleum/natural gas based fillers. In this study, the main goal was the use of spent (waste) coffee grounds as a natural alternative filler to carbon black in acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) based compounds. Carbon black (CB) was partially replaced with fresh as well as spent coffee grounds (SCG) in NBR compound formulation. Stabilization effect of fresh coffee grounds was also investigated. Cure characteristics, physico‐mechanical, thermal, morphological, and dielectric properties of the bio‐based composites were tested and compared with the control (reference) compounds. Processability has been affected positively in the case of using coffee grounds thanks to the presence of triacyl groups in coffee. Up to 20% higher elongation at break values were measured when coffee is partially replaced with CB. Abrasion loss and oil resistance could be retained for coffee containing compounds. In conclusion, SCG were found to be a good natural alternative filler for bio‐based NBR composites without a significant change in material properties. Highlights: Spent coffee grounds ‐ a sustainable filler in bio‐based NBR compositesBoth fresh and spent coffee grounds are successful stabilizersPhysico‐mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties are comparable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly efficient microwave absorbents and multilayer composite structures are crucial methods for enhancing electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbent performance and broadening the bandwidth of materials. Herein, Ni-Fe/NBR microwave-absorbing composite sheets were prepared for the first time by uniformly dispersing Ni-Fe alloy fiber absorbers into a nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix using a mechanical mixing method. By varying the content and length of Ni-Fe fibers, thickness of Ni-Fe/NBR and blowing agent content (AC), a series of composites with low reflectivity and different frequency bands were obtained in the 2–18 GHz frequency. As a result, the single-layer NBR sheet with a Ni-Fe fiber content of 15% and fiber length of 3 mm can reach a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of − 11.92 dB at a thickness of 2.7 mm. Secondly, it is noteworthy that double-layer stacked single-layer NBR absorbers can broaden the absorption bandwidth and improve the absorption effect. Furthermore, varying the positions of the upper and lower layers of sheet materials can yield disparate outcomes. The double-layer Ni-Fe/NBR absorber can achieve an RLmin of − 38.05 dB. Its effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) is 5.06 GHz in the C band and 3.44 GHz in the Ku band. This work provides new ideas for the design of efficient wave-absorbing flexible composites with structural functionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equilibrium swelling test was employed to determine the swelling response of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) with various acrylonitrile (ACN) contents, and the three-dimensional solubility parameter (HSP) and modified Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (χHSP) were used to establish the prediction model of the oil-resistant property. The results indicate that the energy difference (Ra) between NBR and solvents calculated by HSP values can be correlated with the swelling response qualitatively with an inversed "S-shape", and high swelling response occurs at Ra < 8 MPa1/2 for NBR. For the purpose of establishing the prediction model, the new modified χHSP value has been calculated and fitted with the swelling response using exponential and logarithmic fittings, respectively. Two prediction models considering all the possible influencing factors have been obtained to determine the swelling response and oil resistance of NBR-based rubber products in bio-fuels, represented by the bio-diesel and IRM 903 test oil in this work. The swelling response of NBR can be evaluated precisely, and high swelling regions can be predicted and avoided in the new emerging fuels through the prediction models. Thus, the oil resistance of NBR-based rubber products, such as seals, holes and gaskets can be well predicted now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastomeric polymer materials are of interest due to their stretchability, low‐temperature processing, and scalability. In addition, the incorporation of 2D materials can further enhance the dielectric properties and capacitance of elastic polymer materials, thereby reducing the driving voltage and energy consumption. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanosheets are cross‐linked with nitrile butadiene rubber using thiol‐ene click chemistry, which leads to the preparation of nanocomposite dielectric films with stretchability and high dielectric constant. Furthermore, by controlling the doping amount of the nanosheets, it is observed that the capacitance of the nanocomposite films increases from 25.61 to 684.67 nF cm−2, and the dielectric constant increases from 14.96 to 161.98. Finally, the stretchable nanocomposite films exhibit good insulating properties even at 50% strain. In this study, insight is provided into the potential of in situ cross‐linking between elastic polymer materials and 2D materials to produce high‐k dielectric materials with both stretchability and high insulating properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermochromic polymers with tunable thermochromism, high stretchability and mechanical strength are of interests for optical information storage and encryption. In this work, we demonstrate a new design of thermo-fluorochromic carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) elastomer cross-linked by Eu3+-COOH dynamic coordination with deprotonated imidazole (DPIm) as the ancillary ligand. The presence of DPIm not only improves the mechanical strength and stretchability, but also dramatically intensifies the fluorescence emission and lifetime of the Eu-containing elastomer. The elastomer behaves reversible thermo-fluorochromism with easily tunable transition temperature and emission intensity by the simple change of the deprotonation degree of imidazole. The facile tunable thermo-fluorochromism, exceptional mechanical strength, and high stretchability (up to about 5000%) enable the Eu-containing XNBR elastomer with potential applications in soft electronics where optical information storage and encryption are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Rubber Industry is the property of Editorial Office of China Rubber Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Rubber Industry is the property of Editorial Office of China Rubber Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Rubber Industry is the property of Editorial Office of China Rubber Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Infective diseases are becoming more popular, and managing them has become a great worry for humanity. A rubber nanocomposite based on nitrile butadiene rubber with graphene oxide (NBR/GO) and GO/nanoclay (montmorillonite, MMT) (NBR/GO/MMT) was fabricated by a simple technique, roll milling. The synergistic influence of the existence of GO, clay, and electron beam (EB)-radiation on the NBR nanocomposites was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT–IR) techniques to study the mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties. The antibacterial activity of the prepared rubber nanocomposites was estimated via the disk diffusion process against Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus lentus, and Gram-negative bacteria ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis. The results demonstrated that the physico-mechanical performance was significantly reinforced by incorporating nano GO (6 phr) and clay with GO (3 phr/6 phr. NBR films have no antibacterial potential. GO increases the antibacterial efficiency of the NBR films. NBR/3% GO/3% clay film is the most effective in reducing bacterial growth and B. subtilis was the most sensitive bacteria for rubber treatments. The inhibition zone diameters of the un-irradiated and irradiated NBR/3% GO/3% clay films for B. subtilis were 18.03 ± 0.59 and 25.63 ± 0.98 mm, respectively. It could be concluded that because of its outstanding flexibility and human-body compatibility penetration, rubber in corporation with antimicrobial agents can be utilized for manufacturing medical and environmental products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bagasse ash (BA) is an agricultural waste obtained from power plants using sugarcane bagasse as an energy source. Although BA is successfully used as a building material, its application in the polymer industry remains challenging due to the lack of surface reactivity. In this study, BA was purified and named PBA before being incorporated into acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). Tannic acid (TA), a naturally occurring plant polyphenol, was used as a surface‐modifying agent for improved interfacial interaction. The effect of TA content on the properties of PBA‐filled NBR was investigated. The results showed that the presence of TA resulted in cure retardation, i.e., the scorch time, cure time, and activation energy of the vulcanization reaction increased with increasing TA content. However, the increase in TA content enhanced a rubber‐filler interaction, as evidenced by the considerable increase in bound rubber content. Such an enhancement resulted in the improvement of certain mechanical properties, including hardness, modulus, tensile strength, and tear strength. This research showed that tannic acid can be used as a surface‐modifying agent in NBR/PBA composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion To accommodate a wider range of medical device sizes, a larger in vitro flow loop thrombogenicity test system using 9.5 ‐mm inner diameter (ID) tubing was developed and evaluated based on our previously established 6.4 ‐mm ID tubing system.Four cardiopulmonary bypass roller pumps were used concurrently to drive four flow loops during testing. To ensure that each pump produced a consistent thrombogenic response for the same material under the same test conditions, a novel dynamic roller occlusion setting method was applied. Five materials with varying thrombogenic potentials were tested: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone, 3D‐printed nylon, latex, and nitrile rubber (BUNA). Day‐old bovine blood was heparinized to a donor‐specific concentration and recirculated through the flow loops containing test materials at 20 rpm for 1 h at room temperature. Material thrombogenicity was characterized by measuring the thrombus surface coverage, thrombus weight, and platelet (PLT) count reduction.The larger tubing system can differentiate thrombogenic materials (latex, BUNA) from the thromboresistant PTFE material. Additionally, silicone and the 3D‐printed nylon exhibited an intermediate thrombogenic response with significantly less thrombus surface coverage and PLT count reduction than latex and BUNA but more thrombus surface coverage than PTFE (p < 0.05).The 9.5 ‐mm ID test system can effectively differentiate materials of varying thrombogenic potentials when appropriate pump occlusion settings and donor‐specific anticoagulation are used. This system is being assessed in an interlaboratory study to develop standardized best practices for performing in vitro dynamic thrombogenicity testing of medical devices and materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tool vibration is a key factor that affects surface finish, generates noise, and reduces the tool life during conventional boring because of the excessive overhanging length of the tool holder. The interaction between the dynamics of the machine tool and the boring process led to progressive vibration. The creation of appropriate mechanisms in reducing tool vibration will help manufacturing industries to become more productive. In this research, in order to control vibration in the overhanging boring bar, a passive vibration control method was employed. Constrained layer dampers consist of boring bar, substrate, and elastic materials and it is used to minimize tool vibration produced during boring operation. The investigation utilized computational analysis through the ANSYS Workbench platform, employing key parameters such as the overhanging length of the tool holder (100, 150, and 200 mm), substrate material (aluminum, brass, and copper), and elastic material (Nitrile rubber, Natural rubber, and polyurethane). A comprehensive series of 27-run boring experiments were conducted to assess the impact of the constrained layer damper on tool vibration and cutting properties. The results of the study revealed remarkable improvements in various performance metrics. The constrained layer damper demonstrated an impressive 98% reduction in tool vibration, signifying its efficacy in dampening vibrational forces during the boring operation. Furthermore, a substantial 83% decrease in surface roughness was observed, indicating enhanced machining precision and surface finish. The constrained layer damper also exhibited a noteworthy 97.5% reduction in tool wear, highlighting its ability to significantly prolong tool life under challenging machining conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) is widely used as a sealing material due to its excellent mechanical properties and good oil resistance. However, when using NBR material, the seal structure is unable to avoid the negative effects of rubber aging. Hence, the influence of oil and thermal aging on the characteristics of NBR seals was studied by coupling the mechanical behavioral changes with the tribological behavioral changes of NBR in oil and the thermal environment. For this paper, aging testing and compression testing of NBR were carried out. Additionally, friction testing between friction pairs under different aging times was carried out. The surface morphology of the NBR working surface under different aging conditions was also observed. Finally, coefficients of different test conditions were introduced into the finite element model of NBR seals. It can be seen from the results that the elastic modulus increased with the increase in aging time in the thermal oxidative aging testing. The elastic modulus after 7 days of thermal oxidative aging increased by 135.45% compared to the unaged case, and the elastic modulus after 7 days of oil aging increased by 15.03% compared to the unaged case. The compression set rate of NBR increased significantly with the increase in aging time and temperature. The coefficient of friction (COF) between friction pairs increased first and then decreased with the increase in aging time. The maximum contact pressure decreased by 2.43% between the shaft and sealing ring and decreased by 4.01% between the O-ring and groove. The proportion of the effective sealing area decreased by 3.05% between the shaft and sealing ring and decreased by 6.11% between the O-ring and groove. Furthermore, the sealing characteristics between the O-ring and groove were better than those between the shaft and sealing ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plastics Science & Technology / Suliao Ke-Ji is the property of Plastics Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Plastics Science & Technology / Suliao Ke-Ji is the property of Plastics Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Rubber Industry is the property of Editorial Office of China Rubber Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chlorinated polyethylene rubber (CM)/nitrile rubber (NBR) blend vulcanizates were prepared by mechanical blending method with CM and NBR as main raw materials, the cross-linking density of CM phase in CM/NBR blend vulcanizate and the stress-strain relationship of CM/NBR blend vulcaizate were characterized by regulating the dose of vulcanization system of CM phase in CM/NBR blend combined with the means of equilibrium swelling method, testing mechanical properties and theoretical calculation, and the influence of the change of cross-linking density of CM phase on matching degree of the modulus of two phase in CM/NBR blend vulcanizate and mechanical properties of CM/NBR blend vulcanizate were studied. The results showed that the change of the modulus of CM/NBR blend vulcanizate caused by the increase in cross-linking density of CM phase was greater than that of its own; with the increase of modulus, the influence of the change of cross-linking density of CM phase on the modulus of CM/NBR blend vulcanizate increased; by comparing the stress-strain relationship of CM phase and NBR phase in CM/NBR blend vulcanizate and the change of mechanical properties of CM/NBR blend vulcanizate, it was proved that the decrease of the cross-linking density of CM phase was a process of the gradual matching of the modulus of the two phase; compared with the error of the measured stress-strain relation, that of the stress-strain relationship predicted by fitting model was relatively smaller, which indicated that fitting model had certain applicability.

The volatile content in nitrile rubber was measured by halogen moisture meter and compared with the results obtained by the hot-roll method. The influence of different measurement conditions on the measured results of the halogen moisture meter was investigated. The results showed that using the halogen moisture meter, the volatile content in nitrile rubber raw rubber could be measured by both the preset drying time method and preset mass loss method. Under suitable conditions such as sample mass of 3 g, drying temperature of 110 ℃, preset heating time of 8 min, or preset mass loss of 1/140 mg/s, the measured results were consistent with the hot-roll method. This method reduced measure time, was easy to operate, and could be used to guide quickly actual production.

Solid Polymer electrolytes are versatile, highly processible and electrochemically compatible with solid electrode materials. The versatility of these materials is a result of the existence of many possible conductive polymer‐salt, polymer‐polymer and salt‐salt combinations. Despite the wide array of available lithium salts, most polymer electrolyte materials are made using lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) due to its long history of achieving relatively high ionic conductivities in polymer electrolyte systems with the most famous being poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). It is however possible that better ionic conductivities can be achieved with different salts and/or in polymer matrices containing different functional groups. This is because ionic conductivity in polymer electrolytes is partially based on the ability of the polymer matrix to dissolve and bond to the salt. These interactions impact local‐scale ion mobility which can be measured via NMR spectroscopy using pulsed field gradient experiments. In this work, polymer electrolytes are prepared using PEO, hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber and poly(propylene) carbonate. Ion mobility, lithium conductivity and salt‐polymer interactions are investigated to compare interactions between LiTFSI and lithium cyano(trifluorosulfonyl)imide in polymers with common salt‐dissociating functional groups such as ethyl, nitrile and carbonate to determine the impact of these interactions on ionic conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the transformative potential of calcium lignosulfonate (CaL) as a sustainable additive in rubber composites based on nitrile rubber (NBR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Through comprehensive mechanical testing, fatigue crack growth (FCG) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we evaluated the tensile strength, elongation at break, surface morphology, and crack growth behavior of these innovative composites. By incorporating CaL into carbon black-reinforced rubber compounds (RUB/CB) based on nitrile rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber, we achieved good dispersion of both components as well as satisfactory morphology, resulting in tensile strengths of 16.3 and 12.7 MPa, respectively. While the CB/CaL hybrid did not significantly influence the intrinsic strength of the rubber samples, the ultimate strength of these compounds increased drastically – over five-fold compared to RUB/CB – indicating great potential for real-life applications. This study underscores the promise of lignin-based additives in the development of eco-friendly, high performance rubber materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterogeneous selective hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is an efficient method to generate high value‐added hydrogenated NBR. Nevertheless, the inherent large molecular size and high spatial hindrance of polymers lead to poor activity and metal loss. Herein, we report a simple support ammonia pretreatment strategy for the synthesis of efficient N‐doped Pd catalyst and applied for the NBR hydrogenation. The results reveal that N doping enhances electron transfer from the support to Pd more effectively than oxygen‐rich vacancy support, thereby substantially enhancing the electron cloud density and stability of the Pd sites. The formation of more electron‐rich Pd sites not only significantly enhances the adsorption‐activation ability of C=C and H2, but also lowers the apparent activation energy of the reaction. As a result, the Pd/N‐TiO2‐R demonstrates best activity with a hydrogenation degree (HD) of 98 % and a TOF value of 335 h−1, significantly higher than that of Pd/TiO2−R (HD=83 %, 282 h−1) and Pd/TiO2 (HD=74 %, 204 h−1). This strategy will provide new inspiration to improve the activity and stability of Pd/TiO2 catalysts for the hydrogenation of unsaturated polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights This paper investigated the dispersion of silica exhibiting different specific surface areas in nitrile rubber (NBR) matrices and the interactions between fillers, filled rubber, and rubber networks by regulating the aggregate size. To better characterize and leverage the filler network structure, a comprehensive analysis was conducted using linear and nonlinear rheological tests based on the equilibrium solvation theory and pipe models. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of fillers formed an island‐like network structure. With high specific surface area, the concurrent use of high and low specific surface area silica fillers improved the filler‐rubber interactions and hindered filler‐filler interactions, decreased the filler aggregate size, and enhanced the dispersion. Furthermore, we analyzed the mechanism of the filler network structural enhancement and its relationship with the specific surface area by regulating the filler ratios to adjust the polymer size. Control of Filler Network Structure: Ratio adjustment strengthens interactions. Large silica surface enhances F‐R interaction, small surface improves dispersion. Mixing ratios favor robust filler interconnection or dispersion. Reveals strong correlation of filler network strength with F‐F interactions. Highlighted effective eco‐friendly means of adjusting filler Mixing ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent decades have seen an increase in using self‐healing technology in fabricating multifunctional rubber materials, which incorporate intrinsic mechanisms. However, achieving commendable self‐healing efficiency while maintaining strength in thin rubber films remains challenging. Herewith, the preparation of self‐healing carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber thin films is presented with 0.40 ± 0.05 mm thickness, reinforced with sustainable TEMPO‐oxidized cellulose nanofibers. The thin films are fabricated using wet mixing and casting methods and translated to prototype fabrication via dipping. The study involves the effect of varying zinc stearate and filler concentrations on healing efficiency via ionic mechanisms alongside other characterization techniques, such as chemical composition, surface morphology, cross‐link density, and thermal stability. The fabricated thin films exhibited a tensile strength of 5.38 MPa and an elongation‐at‐break of 518%. After undergoing a temperature‐induced healing process at 100 °C for 1 h, the healing efficiency for both properties reached 72% and 90%, respectively. Moreover, these films demonstrates the ability to heal repeatedly at the same fracture site over multiple cycles, maintaining a healing efficiency of over 45% after the third cycle. A glove prototype is fabricated and tested using water and air leakage tests to prove the self‐healing technology's successful transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incompatible thermoplastic poly lactic acid/carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (PLA/XNBR) was prepared, and the effect of graphene oxide (GO) as a reinforcement and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-grafted XNBR (XNBR-g-GMA) as a compatibilizer on the properties of PLA/XNBR blend was investigated in this research. The microstructure, mechanical behavior, thermal, rheology, and dynamic mechanical properties of PLA/XNBR composites were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The incorporation of XNBR-g-GMA improved the compatibility of the PLA/XNBR blend phases, as confirmed by microstructure and DMTA analysis. The results of the mechanical properties showed that with an increase in GO content in the PLA/XNBR/XNBR-g-GMA matrix, there was a significant improvement in tensile strength, Young's modulus, hardness, and impact strength. In order to validate the experimental mechanical and rheological results, various theoretical models were applied and a good agreement was observed between the theoretical and experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of silver nitrate as an antimicrobial agent on natural rubber (NR) and nitrile butylene rubber (NBR) latex films were investigated. The NR and NBR latex films were prepared using coagulant dipping with an additional dipping procedure was performed prior to wet gel leaching to deposit the silver nitrate solution onto rubber films. Different concentrations of silver nitrate solution were used in the range of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 mM, respectively. The degree of microbial inhibition efficiency of the antimicrobial NR and NBR on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) which is a common nosocomial pathogen in combating hospital acquired infections (HAIs) were evaluated. The field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analyses showed an obvious morphological transition of the silver particle structures were observed as the concentration of silver nitrate increased. On the other hand, the microbial inhibition study using free diffusion and dissipative equations are suggested to determine minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The antimicrobial study suggested that silver nitrate deposited on the NR and NBR latex films were not influenced by the morphology of silver microstructure which yielded from different concentrations of silver nitrate deposited on latex films surface. Hence, the study effectively demonstrates that antimicrobial inhibition on different antimicrobial latex films results different of MIC values. The tensile strength results of silver nitrate treated NR and NBR latex films also showed no significant reduction on unaged and aged of film's tensile strength, modulus at 300% (M300) and elongation at break (EB). These results indicated that the deposition of silver ion latex films had no negative effect on film's integrity of the NR as well as NBR latex films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–ligand coordinated cross-linked polymer composites, have been recognized as promising candidates to address the shortcomings of conventional cross-linked composites. In this report, we present how the carboxylic functional group of carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) is exploited to coordinate with ferric ions (Fe3+), resulting in a cross-linked rubber composite via a simple but efficient approach. FeCl3 content could be reached as high as 30 mmol, for a practically usable composite, by judiciously employing a tertiary aliphatic amine viz. triethylamine, TEA that is otherwise not possible. The development of metal–ligand assisted cross-links in the XNBR matrix is established by rheological and swelling studies. The cross-linking mechanism and ferric-carboxylate interaction are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Strong and favorable ferric-carboxylate interaction leads to adequate improvement of mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The luminescent properties of conjugated copolymers could be harmed due to thermo-oxidative degradation, limiting their applications. To overcome these problems, incorporating flexible and stable polymers, such as elastomers, is a simple and advantageous approach to obtaining luminescent, flexible, and thermo-resistant films. Thin films based on blends of a luminescent thiophene/fluorene copolymer (PTPF) and two elastomers, nitrile rubber (NBR) and natural rubber (NR) were prepared by a straightforward method, and thermal degradation tests were carried out at different temperatures. Oxidized structures in the PTPF chains can be observed using FTIR, and up to 330 °C for NR and to 395 °C for NBR, no significant changes were observable, however, over these temperatures, the blends also lost their luminescent properties. The characterization of the films at increasing degradation stages points to possible mechanisms associated with the degradation processes suggesting a strategy to guarantee incremented thermal protection to the conjugated material, maintaining its structural and optical properties at higher temperatures than ambient temperature, making these flexible-luminescent films interesting for applications in which the thermal resistance is a key factor to consider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Rubber Industry is the property of Editorial Office of China Rubber Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hydrogen with small molecule size under high pressure can permeate most materials, being a challenge for rubber sealing materials used in hydrogen storage. The volume expansion of rubber materials due to high‐pressure hydrogen is an important indicator of their degradation and failure. Here, both microscopic calculations and experimental investigations of the nitrile rubber were conducted to evaluate the relation between the structure features and the expansion performance. Three factors, the acrylonitrile amount, the chain length, and the crosslinking degree, were considered to impact on the expansion of the nitrile rubber. Current study indicates that the increasing of acrylonitrile amount can result in the reduction of the volume expansion, owing to the preferential interactions between hydrogen and the butadiene group of nitrile rubber. Both of the chain length and the crosslinking degree are positively proportional to the chain elongation and then the volume of the nitrile rubber. Especially, the amount of acrylonitrile was found to be a key factor for evaluating the expansion of nitrile rubber under high‐pressure hydrogen. This study performs microscopic calculations and macroscopic experiments to investigate the expansion of nitrile rubber, which is expected to be used in designing the sealing rubber material for high‐pressure hydrogen storage applications. Highlights: Acrylonitrile determines the expansion performance of NBR within high‐pressure hydrogen.Short chain and low crosslinking density suppressed the expansion of NBR.Evaluating the expansion of nitrile rubber exposed to high‐pressure hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation of rubber performance in service environments is closely associated with the blooming behavior of additives in the rubber. This study investigates surface precipitates and changes in tensile properties of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) after storage at 85°C in air. The morphology, elemental composition, phase composition, and functional groups of the precipitates were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Based on the morphology of internal rubber particles and precipitates and variations in the Zn/C mass ratio (ERZn), the reaction between zinc oxide and stearic acid in rubber under long‐term thermal environment was determined. Four stages of blooming for the mixture of zinc oxide and zinc stearate were inferred, and the impact of the blooming on the degradation of tensile properties of NBR was established. A dramatic decrease in the elongation at break (δk) of NBR was correlated with the blooming of zinc stearate and its correspondingly weakened plasticizing effect. Highlights: The core‐shell structured mixture of ZnO and Zn(St)2 bloomed onto the surface of nitrile butadiene rubber.The ratio of mass percentages of Zn to C evaluated the blooming process of additives.The migration and blooming process of precipitates were divided into four stages.The decrease in elongation of the rubber was attributed to the blooming of Zn(St)2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equipment of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) infrastructure demands a range of elastomers fully compatible with CO2 phases. In this paper, the typical oilfield elastomers, perfluoroelastomer (FFKM), fluoroelastomer (FKM), tetrafluoroethylene propylene elastomer (FEPM), and hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR), were studied for their chemical compatibility and rapid gas decompression (RGD) in 100% supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2). At a given test condition, all selected oilfield compounds passed the ISO 23936‐2 acceptance compatibility criteria after 28‐day aging at 100 C and 34.5 MPa in sCO2. After aging, the elongations at break of the FFKM and FEPM compounds increased; tensile strength for FEPM decreased. In contrast to FFKM and FEPM, FKM and HNBR exhibited both lower elongations at break and lower tensile strengths. The moduli of the various elastomers consistently decreased after the sCO2 aging. The RGD testing revealed that all compounds were capable of passing the RGD ISO 23936‐2 criteria. Complementary material analyses by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry along with surface morphology analyses were also conducted to gain additional insight into the suitability of the selected elastomers for sCO2 service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubber compounds based on acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber were filled with biopolymer fillers, namely kraft lignin, and calcium lignosulfonate. For cross‐linking of rubber compounds, sulfur curing system, dicumyl peroxide, and combination of dicumyl peroxide with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate were used. The main objective of the work was to investigate the influence of biopolymer fillers content and curing system composition on vulcanization process of rubber compounds, cross‐link density, morphology, and physical‐mechanical properties of vulcanizates. The results revealed that rubber compounds filled with calcium lignosulfonate can be efficiently cured with sulfur as well as peroxide curing systems. Modulus, hardness, and elongation at break were strongly dependent on cross‐link density. Vulcanizates filled with high content of lignosulfonate exhibited comparable values of tensile strength, regardless of the curing system applied. The application of kraft lignin into peroxide systems cured rubber compounds resulted in undesirable reactions between functional groups of the biopolymer and peroxide radicals. Depletion of peroxide radicals resulted in significant deceleration of curing process and decrease in cross‐link density of vulcanizates. This was reflected in typical change of physical‐mechanical characteristics, decrease in modulus and hardness, and increase in elongation at break. Very good adhesion and compatibility between the kraft lignin and the rubber matrix resulted in enhancement of tensile behavior of vulcanizates cured with sulfur system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves to improve the upper‐limit temperature of hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) through regulation of the vulcanization process, filler system and cross‐linking additive. The tensile test and scanning electron microscope images showed that the aging at 180°C significantly accelerated the deterioration in the property of HNBR compared with 150°C aging. The results showed that a higher dosage of bis(1‐(tert‐butylperoxy)‐1‐methylethyl)‐benzene curing agent reduced the compression set of HNBR without sacrificing its tensile strength. Carbon black N539‐filled HNBR exhibited high tensile strength, while carbon black N774‐filled HNBR showed high heat resistance and low compression set. When the HNBR sample was reinforced with 20 phr of N539 and 20 phr of N774 carbon black, it achieved low compression set, high tensile strength, and heat resistance simultaneously. Then, N,N′‐bismaleimide‐4,4′‐diphenylmethane (BMI) was introduced into the HNBR composite as a cross‐linking assistant agent. The residual strength of BMI‐modified HNBR was 20.3 MPa (the retention rate of 92.3%), and its compression set was as low as 19.2% after aging at 180°C for 72 h. Even after aging the composite at 180°C for 168 h, its strength retention rate remained at 83.2% (18.3 MPa). The approach provided here increased the upper‐limit temperature range of HNBR to 180°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: One of the low-cost minerals that can be used as reinforcing filler in polymer industry is pumice powder. Pumice is a highly porous volcanic glass formed during explosive eruptions. This pumice has received significant interest because of its large surface area with various polar groups and can be processed easily. Design/methodology/approach: This study is carried out to investigate the effect of partial replacement of silica (as traditional filler) by naturally occurring pumice powder to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of nitrile butadiene rubber cured with electron beam radiation (doses from 25 to 150 kGy). Findings: The results indicated that the addition of pumice powder increase the tensile strength at lower doses up to 75 kGy (especially at concentration of 5 phr). Besides, an improvement in the thermal stability was attained with the addition of pumice powder. Originality/value: Pumice powder is volcanic-based alumina and silica which is mainly composed of SiO2. It has porous structure which is formed by dissolved gases precipitated during the cooling as the lava hurtles through air. Due to its porous structure, it has low density and high thermal insulation. It also has high temperature and chemical resistance, for these reasons it became preferable material to be used as filler in the plastic and rubber industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lubrication Engineering (0254-0150) is the property of Editorial Office of LUBRICATION ENGINEERING and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The thermal protection system (TPS) plays a major role in shielding solid rocket motors (SRMs) against structural failure from excessive heating. This study was directed at the recent innovation in flame‐retardant materials used for thermal insulation, with a particular focus on integrating metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to bolster thermal stability. Three targeted transition metal‐BDC MOFs (MIL‐88(Fe), MOF‐71(Co), and MOF‐5(Zn)) were hydrothermally synthesized and the effect of incorporating these MOFs into nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites was tracked. In general, the addition of the MOFs improved the interfacial compatibility and the processing of the composites. Additionally, experimental investigations have shown that all MOFs improved the mechanical properties of the NBR composite materials. Specifically, the addition of MOF‐5 has been found to increase the maximum tensile strength to 13 MPa, while MIL‐88 increased the elongation at break to 67.1%. In order to evaluate the thermal stability and ablative resistance of the prepared composites, the oxy‐acetylene flame test was utilized. Results showed that the efficiency of the composite as thermal insulation is highly dependent on the MOF type and the metal included. The impact of MOF‐71(Co) on thermal insulation displayed the least linear and mass ablation rates (0.0168 mm/s and 0.057 g/s, respectively) along with the lowest recorded back‐face temperatures, owing to the formation of a thick and compact char layer upon exposure to flames. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and its various composite materials are widely employed as friction materials in mechanical equipment. The use of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcement in NBR for improved friction and wear characteristics has become a major research focus. However, the mechanisms underlying the improvement in the friction and wear characteristics of NBR with different CNT contents remain insufficiently elucidated. Therefore, we conducted a combined analysis of NBR reinforced with varying CNT contents through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and ring–block friction experiments. The aim is to analyze the extent to which CNTs enhance the water-lubricated friction and dry wear properties of NBR and explore the improvement mechanisms through molecular chain characteristics. The results of this study demonstrate that as the mass fraction of CNTs (0%, 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%) increases, the water-lubricated friction coefficient of NBR continuously decreases. Under water-lubricated conditions, CNTs improve the water storage capacity of the NBR surface and enhance lubrication efficiency. In the dry wear state, CNTs help reduce scratch depth and dry wear volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Rubber Industry is the property of Editorial Office of China Rubber Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Electrolytes play an essential role in electrochemical energy storage devices. Liquid electrolytes have good ionic conductivity but tend to be flammable, prompting some of the safety concerns that are associated with these devices. Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are presented as a potential solution to this problem. These materials have higher mechanical stability and can be formulated to be non‐flammable. However, ionic conductivity in solid polymer electrolytes tends to be several orders of magnitude lower than that of liquid electrolytes, significantly limiting device performance making electrolyte safety and performance difficult to optimize simultaneously. However, gel electrolytes which combine lower flammability, higher mechanical strength, and adequate ionic conductivity may present a solution to this challenge. To this end, the melt processing of hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) with poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC) followed by the in situ formation of ethylene carbonate (EC) is reported. Conversion of PEC to EC is confirmed via NMR spectroscopy. Electrochemical testing reveals improved ionic conductivity following the conversion of the solid polymer electrolyte to the gel polymer electrolyte. Improvements in ionic conductivity, relative to the initial SPE, are attributed to decreased salt‐polymer interactions in favor of salt‐EC interactions as observed via differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a metal matrix composite material consisting of NiTi wires embedded in nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) that preserves NBR's inherent acoustic characteristics while enabling acoustic modification through the NiTi phase transition induced by stress and temperature. The macroscopic mechanical parameters of transversely isotropic NiTi-NBR composite materials are derived by means of a secondary bridging model that takes into account interfacial phases. On this basis, the acoustic impedance properties and absorption coefficient of composite materials were examined as a function of NiTi volume fraction using the transfer matrix method. The accuracy and effectiveness of the theoretical method were verified by comparing the calculated results with finite element simulation. The research results indicated that regulating the volume fraction of NiTi can lead to the anticipated value of the input impedance of composite materials, improving impedance matching with media like water and rubber, which offers novel insights and a theoretical foundation for the development of underwater sound-absorbing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ethylene - octene copolymer (OBC)/waste polystyrene (WPS) compatibilizing masterbatch was prepared through the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction. The effects of anhydrous; AlCl3 dossage on the grafting rate of WPS and the properties of the masterbatch and the effects of the masterbatch dosage on the comprehensive performance of ethylene -propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) were investigated. The results indicated that WPS could react with OBC to form an OBC-g-WPS graft copolymer. There was no gelation at an anhydrous AlCl3 dosage of 0. 4 and a WPS grafting rate of 25. 3 wt%, resulting in the best comprehensive properties of the masterbatch. When this compatibilizing masterbatch was used for EPDM, the resultant rubber exhibited higher tensile strength, higher tear strength, and better heat aging resistance than pure EPDM vulcanized rubber, and its performance was also better than that of the EPDM containing the same amount of an OBC/WPS physical blend. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that WPS was uniformly dispersed in the vulcanized EPDM rubber with the addition of the OBC/WPS compatibilizing masterbatch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible nozzle extension technology has been extensively researched throughout the world, but traditional materials cannot meet the growing demands in harsh environments. Short‐cut carbon fiber‐reinforced nitrile rubber (CF/NBR) composites, which are similar to the phenolic impregnated carbon ablator, are currently a hot research topic in this field. The mechanical properties of CF/NBR composites were experimentally tested to study the change in the mechanical behavior of a rocket engine's flexible nozzle extension section under thermal coupling. As indicated by the results, existing models cannot accurately predict changes in materials' mechanical behavior. The theoretical foundation of the nonlinear viscoelastic intrinsic model of rubber is utilized. The uniaxial tensile intrinsic model of CF/NBR composites has been improved by introducing physical parameters, such as fiber reinforcement, strain rate‐dependent correction and temperature‐dependent correction coefficients, and fiber volume fraction. Results show that the intrinsic model developed in this article provides a guide to the uniaxial tensile mechanical behavior of randomly distributed short‐cut CF/NBR composites with known mass‐part formulations and fiber volume fractions at room temperature and under different pyrolysis conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to hydrogen as a clean and efficient energy carrier is impeded by challenges in the compatibility of hydrogen with materials used within hydrogen infrastructure. Elastomers, crucial in sealing components, often exhibit premature failures in high-pressure hydrogen environments due to excessive swelling. This study employs an innovative in-situ view cell system to assess the swelling behavior of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) under various hydrogen conditions. The system, designed to withstand pressures up to 96.5 MPa, incorporates Digital Image Correlation (DIC) for strain measurements and volume estimation. Results reveal non-linear volume increases during depressurization, challenging conventional assumptions. Furthermore, investigations into peak hydrogen pressures and pressure-holding scenarios during decompression highlight complex swelling trends. The introduction of a novel computer vision (CV) method enhances precision in volume estimation, overcoming DIC limitations. The study provides insights into mitigating elastomer swelling, crucial for developing robust materials to support future hydrogen-driven energy systems. • Developed and utilized an in-situ view cell system to investigate elastomer swelling in high-pressure hydrogen. • Revealed non-linear swelling behavior during depressurization. • Identified critical pressure threshold for volume swelling. • Introduced novel computer vision method for a different way of volume estimation. • Offered insights for swelling mitigation in hydrogen infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an innovative dual cross‐linking strategy for carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) latex using epoxy‐modified calcium silicate particles is presented. In their role as dual cross‐linker, the particles are able to form covalent bonds (nucleophilic ring opening of epoxy moieties) as well as ionic cross‐links (calcium ions of the inorganic core) across the carboxylic acid groups of the rubber. To characterize the curing efficiency, thin elastomer films are prepared by using a conventional coagulant dipping process and their cross‐link densities, curing kinetics, and tensile properties are investigated as a function of the concentration of the cross‐linker and curing time. The results show that latex films containing 5 phr of epoxy‐functional particles give the highest tensile strength, which is further improved by pre‐vulcanizing the liquid latex compound at 60°C for 30 min. The latex formulations are stable over 3 days and the pre‐cured films exhibit a high resistance against gamma sterilization and subsequent accelerated aging. Moreover, sterile films do not cause any skin irritation or skin sensitization reactions, showing the high potential of epoxy‐functional particles in the production of accelerator‐free hypoallergenic gloves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]