Incorporation effects of carbon nanotube in fluorinated elastomers for assistance in CO₂ explosive decompression

Faced with the need to produce a gasket with longer useful life against the explosive decompression conditions of CO₂, it was incorporated different amounts of short and long MWCNT (0.25 phr and 1 phr) and degrees of oxygenated groups functionality ranging between 0% and 7.5% in fluorinated elastomers. The incorporation was performed using the open mill with two rolls (COPE) and rubber blankets were obtained thermo pressed and subjected to radiation doses of 5, 10 and 20 kGy in air atmosphere. Nanocomposites and MWCNT were analyzed by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and SEM micrographs. From the nanocomposites were also prepared specimens for mechanical testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, desorption tests. The results indicated, in generally, an increase of modules to 100% and secant to 15% in the samples with the addition of 1 phr, however little change in the glass transition temperature was observed, indicating little variation of mobility of the chains. The micrographs showed some free ends of MWCNT the polymer matrix after sample preparation process. The results pointed improvement on desorption of nanocomposites after the incorporation of MWCNT. (author)