College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-05 06:29:49
Major
Chemical Engineering
Honors Course
9871:497
Number of Credits
3
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2022
Abstract
Elastomers without cross-linking agents or fillers do not have the necessary properties for practical applications in the rubber industry. Elastomers must be reinforced with fillers and/or cross-linking agents to achieve the needs of physical and mechanical properties for commercial products. Sodium octyl 6-mercaptohexyl phosphate (SOMP) and sodium ethyl (6-mercaptohexyl) phosphate (SEMP) were used to investigate the influence of a reactive ionic surfactant and its influence on the physical properties of peroxide crosslinked styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). SEMP and SOMP were both found to be able to be grafted successfully on to the SBR chains within the rubber using extraction testing and IR spectra analysis. The two surfactants also improved mechanical strength properties of SBR when mixed at various concentrations using tensile testing. More research needs to be pursued in this area to find the optimum concentration of each surfactant while mixed in rubber. Blends of these two surfactants could also be considered. Other ionic compounds can be investigated in hopes of better physical crosslinking and ease of use small scale and eventually large scale.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Li Jia
First Reader
Nathan Schmitz
Second Reader
Dr. Kevin Cavicchi
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Donald Visco
Recommended Citation
Vickerman, Nicole, "Reinforcement of Elastomers by Reactive Ionic Surfactant" (2022). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1480.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1480