Composite Materials Based on Methylstyrene Butadiene Rubber and Carbon-Mineral Fillers

Carbon black (CB), widely used as a filler for polymer composite materials and actively consumed by the rubber industry of Kazakhstan, is an imported item. Taking into account the provisions of the development program of Kazakhstan until 2030 on the effective use of its own raw material resources, high-carbon shungite rocks occurring in the territory of Eastern Kazakhstan seem to be very relevant and promising as a substitute for technical specifications. Previously, the authors analyzed in detail the composition of shungite rocks from the Bakyrchik (Kazakhstan) and Zazhegino (Russian Federation) deposits using the method of elemental analysis. It has been established that even in the presence of an increased content of the mineral component in the carbon matrix of Kazakhstan rocks, in contrast to Karelian shungites, the cleavage surface for the most part exposes the carbon matrix. Additional information about the structure of shungite carbon and the qualitative composition of functional groups on their surface was obtained during IR spectroscopic studies. As a result of electron microscopic studies of samples of shungite rocks and concentrates, it was established that as a result of physical and mechanical action it is possible to obtain carbon materials with a more developed surface structure and increased porosity. The chemical analysis of shungite rocks carried out in this work showed the heterogeneity of their composition, which confirms the results of previously published works. When comparing the properties of rubbers filled with shungite with different carbon contents and standard carbon black of the P 803 brand, it was found that with an increase in the amount of carbon in the composition of the shungite-containing filler, the strength properties of the rubbers increase. Moreover, the composition and properties of shungite rocks make it possible to use them as a substitute for both carbon black (reinforcing filler) and mineral fillers (low-active). The test results indicate the possibility of using shungite-containing rock as a filler for composites to produce press materials for general and special purposes.