Processing and investigation of mechanical characteristics on the polydimethylsiloxane/carbon black composites

Abstract

The mechanical adaptability of elastomers has enormous potential in fields such as energy harvesting, micro electro mechanical system (MEMS), sensor, and actuator. A significant issue is to improve the mechanical features of the elastomeric base material by incorporating an appropriate filler. The elastomer Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is reinforced with carbon black (CB) particles that affect mechanical characteristics (Tensile strength, compressive strength, tear strength, etc) and that have a critical impact on the efficiency of the device. The current research examines the mechanical characteristics of plain PDMS with a concentration of CB filler between 5% and 25%. A solution casting method is used to prepare the composite substrate and investigate the impacts of CB loading performance on tensile, compression, tear, and hardness testing. The outcome shows an improvement in mechanical characteristics due to CB material for Young's module as 1.64-3.84 MPa, ultimate tensile strength as 1.86-4.8 MPa, 3.67-4.81 MPa compressive module with the same compressive strength up to 40 percent strain. The tear strength of the PDMS/CB composites is improved by ?111 percent at 25 percent volume fraction of the CB. The composite hardness of PDMS/CB increases by about 30 percent of the plain PDMS material. Continuing with this, Additional mechanical characteristics of PDMS/CB composites on shear and bulk modules are reported. 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.