Molecular Transport Kinetics of Benzene through Carbon Black filled ENR/CR/ HNBR Ternary Elastomeric Composites
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Abstract
Applications such as oil seals, gaskets and engine mounting materials of the automotive components demand elastomeric composites with superior resistance to solvent uptake and enhanced mechanical stability. In this context, the present study investigates the effect of carbon black (CB) loading on the solvent transport kinetics of benzene in ternary elastomeric composites of Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR)/Chloroprene Rubber (CR)/Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) (ECH) at room temperature. The results reveal a significant decrease in solvent transport in the ternary ECH composites compared to the virgin ECH blend, with a nearly linear reduction observed as CB filler loading increases. This behaviour is attributed to enhanced filler-elastomer interactions and the formation of filler networks, which reduce void spaces within the composite matrix. To model the transport behaviour of composites with varying CB filler contents, four diffusion kinetic models-zero-order kinetics, first-order kinetics, Higuchi, Korsemayer-Peppas and Peppas-Sahlin- were analysed using MATLAB optimization, minimizing the norm error of regression. Among these, the Peppas-Sahlin model exhibited the best agreement with experimental data, making it a reliable tool for predicting solvent transport behaviour. These findings provide critical insights for designing advanced elastomeric materials for automotive applications, ensuring enhanced performance and durability under demanding operational conditions.
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