Influence of heat aging on tensile test in rubber-epoxy composites

Abstract

Composite materials using natural rubber as the main matrix are popular these days because of the wide applications of rubber materials in modern industries. Rubber materials also have damping properties, energy absorption, and exposure to continuous loads and different environmental conditions. In this research, the effect of temperatures on the rubber-epoxy composite with different ratios (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) of epoxy has been studied. Where comparison was made between heat-aged and un-aged samples using the tensile test. To know the effect of high temperatures on the rubber-epoxy composite, it was done in a heated oven at a temperature of 70◦ C. The results obtained from the tensile test observed a decrease in tensile strength and elongation when exposed to thermal aging.