Eco-nanocomposites with epoxidized natural rubber for improved mechanical properties essential to unmanned aerial vehicles propeller applications

Abstract

The epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was prepared via in situ epoxidation reaction to contain 50 mol% epoxide groups (ENR 50). The fraction of ENR 50 in the blends was 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 parts per hundred (phr) relative to the epoxy resin. Also, the silica nanoparticle content of epoxy resin was tested for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 phr. The results show that the impact strength of epoxy resin can be improved by blending in ENR 50 mixed with nanosilica, relative to the baseline epoxy and epoxy resin mixed with epoxide. The optimal ENR 50 content of the composite was 3 phr. Also, the impact and tensile strength of the nanocomposite containing 3 phr nanosilica were improved. In addition, the tear strength of the nanocomposite slightly decreased with the addition of nanofiller. The mechanical properties were assessed relative to morphology from SEM micrographs. In epoxy resin blends with ENR 50, nanosilica can improve the impact strength required in unmanned aerial vehicles propeller applications.