AUT Journal of Mechanical Engineering

AUT Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Effect of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of NR/SBR rubber reinforced with carbon blacks and TiO2 nanoparticles

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq.
10.22060/ajme.2026.24943.6236
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the reinforcement effect on the filled NR/SBR vulcanizates by incorporating Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles individually or in combination into a natural rubber/styrene‑butadiene rubber blend (NR/SBR blend). The rubber blend specimens were fabricated via compounding and compression molding according to ASTM D 3184‑89. The mechanical performance was characterized using tensile testing according to the ASTM D412, compression set testing ASTM D 396 and hardness measurements ASTM D 3182. A total of 100 samples were prepared and divided into two groups (n = 10) according to the percentage of nanomaterial used. Hybrid nanocomposites containing Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles were used as fillers. Their impact on tensile strength, compression set, and hardness was examined. The sample designated N/SB‑Al10‑Ti8 (containing 10 phr nano‑Al2O3 and 8 phr nano‑TiO2) showed the highest break stress at 27.931+0.709 MPa. The next highest value was observed for the N/SB‑Al7‑Ti6 sample, which reached 27.475+0.854 MPa. In contrast, increasing the Al2O3 and TiO2 nanocomposite content led to a significant decrease in compression set (C%). A significant improvement in compression set was observed for samples containing hybrid Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles. The compression set decreased with increasing nanoparticle concentration, and the high-performance samples were reported with 10 phr nano‑Al2O3 and 8 phr nano-TiO2, accounts for 24.66±1.3% compared to 19.65±1.6% for the sample containing only TiO2.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 17 August 2026