ELASTOMERIC COMPOSITES WITH CARBON NANOTUBE FOR TIRE APPLICATIONS
There a current trend in transport sector of improve energy efficiency and performance of vehicles. In this scenario, an alternative is the use of tires with lower rolling resistance and hysteresis loss. The incorporation of carbon nanoparticles allows to enhance mechanical and dynamic properties of elastomers, replacing traditional fillers like carbon black. However, an adequate dispersion of nanofillers is a limiting factor for their use. This work objective is development a rubber composite with carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) for tires applications, using a natural rubber (NR) /polybutadiene (BR) rubber blend (ratio 1:1). The processing was made by mechanical blend, with the nanofiller added in powder or by masterbatch. The nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The influence of CNT in dynamic-mechanical properties was evaluated by DMA, and the electrical conductivity was performance by impedance spectroscopy. The apparent crosslink density was determined by swelling index.