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Graphene nanoplatelet reinforced elastomers for the Oil & Gas Industry
[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2019.
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Abstract
Graphene related materials have recently become of great interest for polymer reinforcement owing to their high Youngâs modulus and aspect ratio. These properties, as well as good electrical and thermal conductivity, have led to a surge in publications for nanocomposites with multifunctional properties. Historically, carbon black has been the workhorse of the elastomer industry, offering low cost, good mechanical reinforcement and versatility through different black grades. However, carbon black is not necessarily the ideal filler for all applications. For example, carbon black reinforced elastomers suffer from rapid gas decompression damage when applied to the oil and gas industry. Rapid gas decompression leads to blistering and cracking of elastomer seals because sudden pressure changes cause gases dissolved within the elastomer to expand. In order to understand how these new graphene fillers affect elastomer reinforcement and how they differ from carbon black, a number of graphene nanoplatelet reinforced NBR compounds were produced and compared with the carbon black equivalent. Mechanical testing demonstrated that the GnPs reinforce the NBR matrix more effectively than CB in terms of modulus, hardness and tear strength. Furthermore, GnPs help maintain the elastomers high strain at break, whereas the inclusion of carbon black leads to a reduction in elongation at break. However, the ultimate tensile strength for GnP-NBR and CB-NBR is similar at equivalent loadings. The modulus and tear energy were modelled using elastomer theory to evaluate how the GnPs give these improved mechanical properties compared with carbon black. Characterisation by Raman spectroscopy, SEM and AFM has been used alongside the mechanical testing in order to understand how the shape of the filler may affect reinforcement. The aspect ratio of the filler has been identified as a crucial parameter in the elastomer reinforcement. Transport properties of the composites were measured in order to suggest the suitability of the filler for oil and gas applications. The results suggest that graphene nanoplatelets may have a future in the elastomer industry offering potential for new and multifunctional properties. Opportunities for further work have been identified including suggestions for future work.