Enhancing mechanical and swelling resistance properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber by the usage of graphene oxide

The incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) significantly enhances its mechanical and swelling resistance properties, making it a promising material for various industrial applications. This article presents a detailed investigation into how GO affects the curing behavior, mechanical strength, and solvent resistance of NBR. The study reveals that GO improves the minimum and maximum torque values, indicating stronger interfacial interactions and better stress transfer within the composite. The tensile strength, stress at 100% elongation, and tear strength of NBR/GO nanocomposites increase with GO content up to a certain threshold, beyond which filler agglomeration leads to a decline in these properties. The article also explores the impact of GO on hardness, rebound resilience, abrasion resistance, and compression set, providing a comprehensive overview of how GO modifies the overall performance of NBR. Additionally, the study examines the crosslinking density and solvent uptake of the nanocomposites, highlighting the role of GO in enhancing the barrier properties and resistance to swelling. The findings offer valuable insights into the optimization of NBR composites for applications requiring superior mechanical strength and resistance to solvents.