Effect of Graphene Oxide and Surface-Functionalized Graphene Oxide on the Mechanical Performance of EPDM/NBR Composites

EPDM/NBR elastomer blends reinforced with silane-treated graphene oxide were successfully fabricated to enhance their overall performance. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized using a modified Hummers oxidation route and subsequently chemically functionalized with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) to strengthen its compatibility with the rubber matrix. This chemical modification significantly improved the distribution of the nanofiller within the elastomeric system relative to unmodified graphene oxide, resulting in more effective stress transfer between the filler and polymer phases. As a result, the composites containing functionalized graphene oxide demonstrated notable improvements in mechanical behavior. At an optimized filler concentration of 5 phr, the tensile strength, stress at 100% elongation, and tear resistance increased by 36.2, 19.4, and 57.1%, respectively. Furthermore, these reinforced materials exhibited superior resistance to abrasive wear compared with both unfilled blends and those containing untreated graphene oxide. The enhanced performance is primarily associated with uniform nanofiller dispersion and stronger interfacial interactions established through silane functionalization. Overall, the incorporation of KH550-modified graphene oxide (KH550-GO) represents a promising and practical approach for producing advanced elastomeric materials with improved durability and mechanical integrity for demanding engineering applications such as automotive components and sealing technologies.