Development of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles reinforced chlorinated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/chlorinated ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber blends

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA) reinforced polymer blend based on chlorinated nitrile rubber (Cl‐NBR) and chlorinated ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (Cl‐EPDM) were prepared. Resulting blend composites were analyzed with regard to their rheometric processing, crystallinity, glass transition temperature (Tg), mechanical properties, oil resistance, AC conductivity, and transport behavior. The decrease in optimum cure time with the addition of HA is more advantageous for the development of products from these blend nanocomposites. The XRD, FTIR, and SEM confirmed the attachment and uniform dispersion of HA nanoparticles in the Cl‐NBR/Cl‐EPDM blend. The good compatibility between polymer blend and nanoparticles was also deduced by the formation of spherically shaped HA particles in the blend matrix determined by TEM analysis. DSC analysis showed an increase in Tg of the blend with the filler loading. The addition of HA particles to the blend produced a remarkable increase in tensile and tear strength, hardness, AC conductivity, abrasion, and oil resistance. The diffusion of blend composites was decreased with an increase in penetrant size. The diffusion mechanism was found to follow an anomalous trend. Among the blend composites, the sample with 7 phr of HA not only showed good oil and solvent resistance but also a remarkable increase in AC conductivity and mechanical properties.