Effect of nanofiller on the ageing of rubber seal materials under gamma irradiation

The effect of high gamma irradiation and nanosilica on the structure and mechanical properties of the acrylonitrile butadiene rubber seal materials was investigated in this study. Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites containing (25, 50 and 75 phr) unmodified and modified nanosilica were irradiated at different doses (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1 MGy). The dispersion of nanosilica-based filler in acrylonitrile butadiene rubber was investigated by scanning electron microscope. Fourier-transform infrared analysis, swelling, crosslinking, mechanical and the thermal resistance properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites were investigated. From the results, it is clear that with modified nanosilica, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber phase crosslinking is accelerated with increasing γ-doses compared to unmodified nanosilica and seems to enhance physical, mechanical and the thermal properties of the rubber. The surface of the acrylonitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites was investigated by scanning electron microscope and found better dispersion for acrylonitrile butadiene rubber with 25 phr of modified nanosilica at 0.6 MGy. The compression set of the results indicated that 25 phr modified nanosilica has best properties under high gamma irradiation.