Mechanical and Structural Characterization of MWCNT-Reinforced NR/BR Rubber Composites for Mud Pump Pistons and Sealing Applications

This study was conducted to discover nanocomposite materials with high stiffness and toughness to meet industrial requirements, particularly for applications that demand high durability and abrasion resistance, such as mud pump pistons and sealing components. A nanocomposite constructed of natural rubber/polybutadiene rubber at a 90/10 ratio was combined with 48 phr black carbon and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at different proportions: 0, 0.96,1.28 and 1.6 phr, reduced from 48 phr. The maximum tensile strength was observed for rubber with a nanocarbon content of 1.28 phr, representing an increase of 111% compared to that of neat rubber. The elongation at break was 3.2 in rubber with 1.28 phr of MWCNT, an increase of 53.5% compared to that of neat rubber. The minimum weight loss was 0.07 g in the abrasion resistance test in rubber with 1.28 phr of MWCNT. This represents a decrease in weight loss of 22.22% compared to the results for neat rubber.