Synergistic effect of graphite nanoplatelets and carbon black in multifunctional EPDM nanocomposites

Abstract: In this paper we adopt a processing technology to develop elastomer plus nano-graphite hybrid composites with multifunctional properties. Beyond the improvements of the mechanical properties, the research findings demonstrate the synergistic effect of carbon black and graphite nanoplatelets to prepare rubber composite thermally conductive and to design a new class of shock absorbers. It was found that a critical GNPs/CB ratio was apt to reduce the strong interlayer forces among the GNPs sheets, which led to the efficiency on reinforcement in mechanical properties and improvements of the performance of the rubber composites.