Theoretical Modeling of Mechanical Property Enhancement in Styrene Butadiene Rubber Reinforced with Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoparticles

Abstract

This paper conducts a theoretical analysis of how incorporating hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticles affects some mechanical properties of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Several established micromechanical models—namely Einstein, Guth–Gold, Halpin–Tsai, and Nielsen—were applied to predict the elastic modulus of these nanocomposites. The study considers filler contents of 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% by weight, using standard values for SBR (density 0.94 g/cm³, modulus 5 MPa) and h-BN (density 2.1 g/cm³, modulus 800 MPa). Results suggest an increase in modulus by about 4–6% at 5 wt% h-BN, primarily due to improved interfacial stress transfer and limited movement of polymer chains. These findings provide a robust theoretical basis for developing lightweight, thermally stable rubber nanocomposites for industrial and automotive use.The findings contribute to a theoretical foundation for designing lightweight, thermally stable rubber nanocomposites suitable for automotive and industrial applications. Future research may experimentally validate these predictions and explore viscoelastic behavior.

Introduction

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is widely used in automotive and industrial applications due to its flexibility and ease of processing, but it has relatively low stiffness and tensile strength. Reinforcing SBR with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticles improves its mechanical and thermal properties, producing lightweight, thermally stable, and robust composites.

This study uses theoretical micromechanical models—Einstein, Guth–Gold, Halpin–Tsai, and Nielsen—to predict how h-BN loading affects the elastic modulus of SBR. Results show a gradual increase in stiffness with increasing h-BN content; for example, at 5 wt% h-BN, the modulus rises by approximately 4–6% due to improved filler–matrix interaction and restricted chain mobility. Halpin–Tsai predicts slightly higher stiffness because it accounts for filler shape, while Nielsen includes effects of particle networking and agglomeration.

Limitations include assumptions of ideal dispersion, perfect bonding, and no temperature effects, with only elastic modulus analyzed. Future work involves experimental validation, advanced modeling, and investigation of additional mechanical properties such as tensile strength and fatigue resistance.

Conclusion

A theoretical investigation of SBR reinforced with h-BN nanoparticles was conducted using four classical micromechanical models. All predict increasing modulus with filler loading, with the Halpin–Tsai model best reflecting platelet morphology. The 5% increase in stiffness at 5 wt % h-BN shows that h-BN can work well as a reinforcing filler. Future research should experimentally verify these findings and extend modeling toward viscoelastic and thermal analyses.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Suyash Ramesh Patil, Vishwaraj Vishwas Patil, Vedant Vilas Patil, Siddesh Vijay Salunkhe, Rushikesh Ramesh Patil, Prof. H. H. Patil. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.