Elastocaloric effect in vulcanized natural rubber and natural/wastes rubber blends

Vulcanized natural/wastes rubber blends were prepared and their elastocaloric properties were analysed. A thermodynamic frame was used to discriminate the contributions of thermoelastic effects and strain induced crystallization/melting. The substitution of 20 wt% of the natural rubber matrix by was...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Candau, Nicolas, Vives i Santa-Eulàlia, Eduard, Fernández Renna, Ana Inés, Maspoch, Maria Lluïsa
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/208862
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/208862
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Polímers
Ciència dels materials
Cautxú
Polymers
Materials science
Rubber
Descripción
Sumario:Vulcanized natural/wastes rubber blends were prepared and their elastocaloric properties were analysed. A thermodynamic frame was used to discriminate the contributions of thermoelastic effects and strain induced crystallization/melting. The substitution of 20 wt% of the natural rubber matrix by waste rubber particles resulted in a maintain and even a slight improvement of heat exchanges (+10%), that we ascribed to a (i) high thermoelastic effect and a (ii) a high ability of the natural rubber matrix to crystallize due to a nucleation ability of the waste particles, both resulting from a strain amplification in the rubber phase due to undeformable carbon black aggregates in the waste particles. The materials coefficient of performance, COPmat, was estimated equal to 4.4 for the neat natural rubber and 3.8 for the blend containing 20 wt% of wastes due to larger mechanical energy originated from reinforcing effect of waste particles. Nonetheless, the elastocaloric (eC) abilities of these materials, especially their wide temperature spans (similar to those in films or polycrystals using rare earth elements) make these natural/waste rubber blends good candidates for application such as heating/cooling machines. Moreover, the partial replacement of natural rubber, a bio-source material showing risks of shortage, by industrial wastes rubber, place these blends as promising eco-friendly materials with high added value.