OBTAINING A BINARY SYSTEM BASED ON STYRENE–BUTADIENE–STYRENE POLYMER USING CARBON NANOTUBES AND DETERMINATION OF THE FLOW

This work is devoted to the preparation and investigation of a composite based on styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) polymer using carbon nanotubes. Nanocomposites based on styrene–butadiene–styrene polymer (SBS) and carbon nanotubes were prepared by the emulsion mixing method, while the vulcanization process was carried out in accordance with standard test methods used for SBS evaluation. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the rubber compound improved the compatibility of the components, and the resulting nanocomposite exhibited high thermal stability. The nanomaterial enhanced the processability of SBS rubber–based composites. Compared with rubber reinforced solely with carbon black, the use of nanomaterials led to a 27% increase in stress at 100% permanent elongation. In addition, partial replacement of carbon black resulted in an increase in the elongation at break of the vulcanizate from 424.5% to 554.0%. The mechanical properties of the obtained rubbers demonstrated that they can be regulated by varying the ratio of carbon nanotubes and carbon black. Based on this, the mass fraction of carbon black was reduced in order to shorten the mixing time at the final stages of mechanical compounding, and SBS/CNT nanocomposites were prepared. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes into polymers increases the material’s hardness, elasticity, wear resistance, and resistance to thermal effects. In this regard, the preparation of SBS–CNT composites and the systematic study of their physical, mechanical, and morphological properties are of significant scientific and practical relevance. This research may play an important role in the development of new materials and the optimization of their properties. Due to their excellent electrical conductivity, the use of carbon black (CB) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a 3:1 ratio as conductive fillers has been shown to enable the production of materials exhibiting both high electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical strength.