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Abstract:
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The thermal degradation of short nylon-6 fiber reinforced acrylonitrile
butadiene rubber (NBR) composites with and without epoxy-based bonding
agent has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that
the onset of degradation shifted from 330.5 to 336.1°C in the presence of short
nylon fiber, the optimum fiber loading being 20 phr. The maximum rate of degradation
of the composites was lower than that of the unfilled rubber compound,
and it decreased with increase in fiber concentration. The presence of epoxy
resin-based bonding agent in the virgin elastomer and the composites improved
the thermal stability. Results of kinetic studies showed that the degradation of
NBR and the short nylon fiber reinforced composites followed first-order
kinetics. |