Thermogravimetric and Spectroscopy Analyses of Silicone Nanocomposites

In this research, nanofillers, such as nano fumed silica, nano natural silica and nano alumina, are used to reinforce silicone rubber. The thermal degradation of the nanofilled samples are analyzed through thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA confirms that nano fumed silica imparts better heat resistance to silicone than nano natural silica or nano-alumina filler when dispersed with Tritontrade. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used to elucidate the mechanism by which the nanofillers improve the heat and erosion resistance of silicone composites. FTIR analysis indicates a significantly higher concentration of silanol groups in the nano fumed silica filled samples than in the micro-silica filled samples. The influence of the increased number of silanol groups on the erosion resistance of the nanocomposites is discussed.