Effect of carbon black amount on the properties of natural rubber/trans-polyisoprene shape memory composites

Abstract

Shape memory composites based on natural rubber(NR) and trans-polyisoprene(TPI) were prepared, and the effects of carbon black amount on the curing characteristics, physical and mechanical properties, crystallization properties and shape memory properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that with the increase of carbon black amount, the physical and mechanical properties of the composites were significantly improved, and the tensile strength increased from 17.2 MPa to 23.0 MPa. The addition of carbon black reduced the crystallinity of TPI phase in the composites, and also reduced the shape fixation rate and shape recovery rate of the composites.

Keywords

• trans-polyisoprene
• natural rubber
• curing characteristics
• physical and mechanical property
• shape memory property