Enhancement of the mechanical properties of EPDM/NBR rubbers using nanosilica for seal applications

In this research work, we looked at how the different properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) as seal materials were affected by the addition of various percentages of nanosilica. To evaluate the effect of the inclusion of the nanosilica, properties including tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB), modulus at various extensions, compressive set (CS), rebound resilience (RR), hardness (HD) and permeability as well as abrasion resistance (AR) are investigated. Results show that adding nanosilica to some formulations may marginally diminish the rubber's strength. However, a more stable modulus at various strains is offered, the rubber's hardness is kept and slightly increased, and the permeability is decreased in both rubbers, with EPDM exhibiting the most pronounced reduction, which is preferable for reducing the outcome of explosive decompression. The compression set test demonstrates that nanosilica enhances the rubbers' ability to operate well under compression, which is crucial for seal applications.