A study on the mechanical behaviour of carbon black and Struktosil-filled NBR compounds for hydrogen applications

This study investigates the effect of the addition of a 2D filler (Struktosil) to a carbon black-filled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, developed for seals in hydrogen applications. Several characterization methods have been adopted. The addition of Struktosil increases the stiffness of the material up to a strain of about 100%, to a lesser extent in presence of a plasticizer. The dissipative response of the material is increased by Struktosil addition and decreased in presence of the plasticizer. Concerning fracture behaviour, the crack initiation and Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD) resistance were not affected by the addition of Struktosil but decreased in presence of plasticizer. Furthermore, the addition of Struktosil had a positive effect on crack propagation resistance. The effects of pressurized hydrogen exposure on physical-mechanical properties were also evaluated and correlated with the results. A correlation between fracture toughness and RGD resistance has been also attempted.