Effect of Cure System on Electrospun Butyl Rubber Nonwoven Mats (Paper No. 55)

摘要

Electrospinning of thermosetting elastomers is a method for developing nonwoven membranes with a microporous structure, for use in dynamic applications (i.e. stretchable). These membranes have potential for applications in breathable, stretchable protective clothing. The most challenging concerns are the ability to control pore sizes, fiber diameter, permeability, and physical properties. One factor in controlling the properties is the type of cure system used to chemically crosslink the elastomer. This work investigates the effect of different cure systems on the properties of electrospun butyl rubber mats. Three different cure systems were investigated, two semi-efficient and one efficient system. The effect of different cure system and accelerator content on the mechanical properties, static moisture permeation, and fiber morphology (SEM) were investigated. It was found that the behavior of electrospun mats followed similar trends to the solid rubber mats. As the concentration of primary accelerators increased, the stress at break increased with a loss of elongation. All systems showed relatively similar static moisture permeation and density. Cure system appears to play a relatively minor role in controlling the moisture permeation, but can be used to tailor the mechanical properties of the mat independently.