Project: Nanoreinforcement of specialty rubbers.
_x000D_NANOGUMMI project aim is to develop advanced compound rubbers for automotive market. Sealing and gasket product properties have to be improved regarding more and more drastic regulations hence specifications. In NANOGUMMI project three case studies of rubber compounds have been selected. Market needs involve a significantly improve of their physical properties: tensile strength (at least 10%), fatigue resistance, durability, product lifetime (at least 10%), and at the same time electrical conductivity (at least 1 decade). Market would be particularly interested if electrical conductivity properties are added to mechanical targeted products properties._x000D__x000D_Rubbers mixtures, or compounds, are at basic level composed of polymers, reinforcing fillers, oils and chemicals used to crosslink, or « cure », the rubber. Rubbers compounds could combine high hardness (90 ShA) and high strength at break (20 MPa) with an exceptional flexibility (150% elongation at break), as well an excellent structural stability under temperatures and pressures such as 175°C and 135 MPa (conventional range of use of an oil sealant O-ring). Unfortunately, it is especially difficult to significantly increase rubber resistance to temperatures above 200°C and pressures above 200 MPa, which are actually market demands. In fact, compounds available on the market are not able to reach these harsh conditions. _x000D__x000D_The innovative idea of NANOGUMMI is to replace a part of CB loading of the formulation by a smaller loading of CNT. In that case, mechanical properties of materials would be improved of at least 10 % thanks to CNT’s higher surface area than CB, and synergistic effect of both fillers would have an impressive effect on mechanical, dynamical and thermal properties. Furthermore, combining use of CB and CNT would also provide electrical conductivity to the new material. Preliminary lab tests in DIK have demonstrated the potential of these “hybrid systems” to enhance the material performance including favorable results in cut growth resistance. For instance, a considerable improvement of 100°C higher temperatures and 70 MPa higher pressure durability compared to a currently used FKM formulation has been obtained. _x000D__x000D_NANOGUMMI workflow is to investigate new mixing strategies to manufacture CNT/rubber composites with physical properties that approach the theoretical maximum potential of individual nanotubes. Interactions between the matrix and the filler, which are particularly influenced by the particle size, aspect ratio, surface activity and dispersion of the filler, are keys of rubber reinforcement. In this context, improvement of rubber properties by nanoscale fillers plays a decisive role in enhancing the performance, prolonging lifetime of these strategic important materials and reducing premature scrap. _x000D__x000D_The project will consist in improving current rubber formulation by defining three new materials (integer valve, rubber grommet, fuel cell sealing) with better mechanical properties obtained thanks to the combining effect of CB and CNT. A design of experiment would evaluate impact of loading of each filler and impact of process parameters on material properties. That would allow the validation of the new process mixing developed for NANOGUMMI, as well as the selection of the three best materials. These materials would be used to produce prototypes of targeted products. It is important to note that rubber compounds and prototypes would be realized by adapting process currently used in rubber industry; this new technology won’t involve new invests. Prototypes would be validated according to DIN/ASTM standards currently used._x000D__x000D_NANOGUMMI will be performed by three Ps to reach objectives: the expertise in carbon nanotubes synthesis and dispersion represented by Nanocyl, the expertise in mixing strategies and rubber nanocomposite compound characterizations represented by the Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie (DIK), and KKT - Kautschuk Kunststoff Technik, an expert in compounding and processing of the specialty rubbers. KKT is developing and producing rubber and silicon parts, profiles, tubes, plates and assemblies for automotive, medical, electronic, aviation, safety and military industries. KKT is also an expert in design and construction of tools for production of rubber articles. KKT selects three products to improve, regarding his knowledge about the market needs, and would directly commercialize these NANOGUMMI new developments. _x000D__x000D_This project is a real industrial research project because only few papers has been published yet on the CNT/CB interaction in rubbers, and it will allow developing CNT/CB/Rubber materials that would be used in automotive industry as new materials to solve actual issues. All results obtained and validated at the end of the project would be adapted to other applications, and other markets as aeronautic, building or downhole industries to provide nanorubbers as technological solutions. _x000D_
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Acronym
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NanoGummi
(Reference Number: 7836)
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Duration
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01/07/2013 - 31/12/2015
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Project Topic
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Automotive needs are more and more drastic in term of material regulations hence specifications. NANOGUMMI project aim is to develop new composite rubbers by combining effect of several types of carbon fillers.
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Network
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Eurostars
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Call
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Eurostars Cut-Off 9
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Project partner
