Elastomeric Composites Based on Frost-Resistant Rubbers Containing Karelian Deposit Natural Schungite

The article considers the problems of the operation of elastomers and elastomeric products in cold climates. It was shown that the combination of propylene oxide rubber (SKPO) and ultrafine polytetrafluoroethylene (UPTFE) was an effective way to obtain elastomeric materials with improved performance for operation in the northern regions. The general patterns of the influence of natural schungite on phase morphology and the properties of composites based on SKPO and UPTFE were investigated. It was found that with an introduction of small amounts of UPTFE (0.5-1 phr) the properties of elastomeric composites improve. It was associated with the structural features of the fluoropolymer. The particles of fluoropolymer had high activity, nanostructured organization, and the predominant concentration of fluoropolymer particles in surface layers of the material. The introduction of large quantities of UPTFE (50 phr) into the elastomeric matrix led to an improvement in the surface properties of the materials (wear and oil resistance). When substituting carbon black with natural schungite, both surface properties and physical and mechanical properties and compression set were improved. The obtained elastomeric composite will surpass many industrial elastomers by wear resistance and can ensure stable operation of seals under dynamic loading conditions (movable seals) and the presence of abrasives. Replacing carbon black in compositions based on SKPO and UPTFE with natural schungite will have a significant environmental and economic effect since it is much cheaper than carbon black.