TY - CONF A1 - Zirnstein, Benjamin A1 - Tabaka, Weronika A1 - Schulze, Dietmar A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - Multilayer Graphene/Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Nanocomposites -Small Filler with Great Impact N2 - Elastomers, such as hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR) are usually mechanically reinforced with high loadings of carbon black (CB) to achieve the properties demanded; high amounts of mineral flame retardants are used to fulfill fire safety requirements. These high filler loadings sometimes cause deterioration of the physical properties of the material. In this study, multilayer graphene (MLG), a nanoparticle made of only 10 graphene sheets, is applied in low loadings (3 phr) to reduce the total amount of filler or boost performance.1,2,3 In former studies nanofiller achieved increased flame retardancy at very low lowdings.4,5,6 The dispersion of the nanofiller is essential for the properties of the nanocomposites.7 The nanocomposites were prepared via master batch by an ultrasonically assisted solution mixing and subsequent conventional two-roll milling. SEM and TEM micrographs and rheological measurements revealed that the MLG nanoparticles were well dispersed in the HNBR matrix. In the HNBR nanocomposites, 3 phr MLG replaced 15 phr CB, 3 phr ATH or 15 phr CB + 3 phr ATH and achieved large consistent improvement in curing, rheological and mechanical properties of the HNBR. The nanocomposites with partial replaced CB reduced the filler loading up to 60% without any deterioration of the properties. The HNBR/MLG nanocomposites achieved an even higher Young’s modulus, hardness and thermal conductivity. MLG achieved advanced flame retardancy by improving the protection layer. The layer is created during the burning phase and acted as an afterglow suppressor. This study proposed the combination of ATH with MLG as a promising approach to reduce the amount of filler, in addition to improving the mechanical properties and fire performance of HNBR rubbers. T2 - Deutsche Kautschuk Tagung, DKT2018, German Rubber Conference CY - Nuremberg, Germany DA - 02.07.2018 KW - Graphene KW - Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber KW - Nanocomposite KW - Elastomers KW - Filler PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-45599 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -