Curing Behaviors, Mechanical and Dynamic Properties of Composites Containing Chloroprene and Butadiene Rubbers Crosslinked with Nano-Iron(III) Oxide

This paper discusses the curing behaviors, mechanical and dynamical properties of composites containing chloroprene rubber (CR) and butadiene rubber (BR) reinforced with mineral fillers. The iron(III) oxide nanoparticles were used as a crosslinking agent of the CR/BR blends. The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-iron(III) oxide (nano-Fe(2)O(3)) as a new crosslinking agent while producing elastomeric materials with good mechanical properties and reduced flammability. The CR/BR (chloroprene rubber/butadiene rubber) blends were filled with silicas from natural resources (chalcedony, Neuburg silica earth) or silicas used in elastomer technology in many fields (aerosil, ultrasil). The results revealed that all composites were characterized by satisfactory tensile strength, tear resistance, and high resistance to fire. The filler dispersion in the elastomer matrix was carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the possibility of the filler–filler or filler–rubber interaction in the designed compositions was determined using the Payne effect and the Mullins effect.