Effect of the Elastomer Matrix on Thermoplastic Elastomer-Based Strain Sensor Fiber Composites

In this study, a thermoplastic elastomer sensor fiber was embedded in an elastomer matrix. The effect of the matrix material on the sensor properties and the piezoresistive behavior of the single fiber-matrix composite system was investigated. For all composites, cycling test (dynamic test) and the relaxation behavior at different strains (quasi-static test) were investigated. In all cases, dynamic properties and quasi-static significantly changed after embedding, compared to the pure fiber. The composite with the silicone elastomer PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) as matrix material exhibited deviation from linear response of the resistivity at low strains and proved an unsuitable choice compared to natural rubber. The addition of a spring construct in the embedded sensor fiber natural rubber composite improved the linearity at low strains but increased the mechanical and electrical hysteresis of the soft matter sensor composite. Using pre-vulcanized natural rubber improved linearity at low strains and reduced significantly the stress and relative resistance relaxation as well as the resistance hysteresis, especially if the resistance remained low. In both cases of the pre-vulcanized rubber and the spring structure, the piezoresistive behavior was improved, and at the same time, the stiffness of the system was increased indicating that using a stiffer matrix can be a strategy for improving the sensor properties

Influence of Filler from a Renewable Resource and Silane Coupling Agent on the Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber Vulcanizates

Rice husk ash (RHA) was used as a reinforcing filler in epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with various loading levels (0, 10, 20, and 30 phr), and silica filled ENR was also studied for comparison. The effects of RHA content on cure characteristics, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and thermoelastic behavior of the filled ENR composites were investigated. It was found that the incorporation of RHA significantly affected the cure characteristics and mechanical properties. That is, the incorporation of RHA caused faster curing reactions and increased Young’s modulus and tensile strength relative to the unfilled compound. This might be attributed to the metal oxide impurities in RHA that enhance the crosslinking reactions, thus increasing the crosslink density. Further improvements in the curing behavior and the mechanical properties of the filled composites were achieved by in situ silanization with bis(triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (Si69). It was found that the rubber-filler interactions reinforced the composites. This was indicated by the decreased damping characteristic (tan ⁡δ) and the other changes in the mechanical properties. Furthermore, the ENR composites with Si69 had improved filler dispersion. Temperature scanning stress relaxation (TSSR) results suggest that the metal oxide impurities in RHA promote degradation of the polymer network at elevated temperatures