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J. Compos. Sci.
Special Issues
Rubber-Based Composites: Challenges in Reusing Waste and Nanostructures as Fillers
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Rubber-Based Composites: Challenges in Reusing Waste and Nanostructures as Fillers

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 903

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Flávio Camargo Cabrera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, School of Engineering and Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Rosana 19272-100, SP, Brazil
Interests: rubber composites; waste management; nanostructures; rubber-based devices
Dr. Carlos Henrique Scuracchio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Materials Engineering Department, Science and Technology Center of the Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565-905, Brazil
Interests: electroactive polymers; rheology; IPMC; deformation sensors; rubber recycling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rubber, classified as an elastomer, is a flexible material capable of being stretched multiple times its original length without undergoing plastic deformation. Due to its properties such as elasticity, and thermal and electrical insulation, it finds extensive applications across various industries. Notable uses include automotive components like tires, hoses, transmission belts, and cushions; industrial equipment (hydraulic and pneumatic systems) utilizing sealing rings and gaskets to prevent leaks; medical materials including gloves and catheters; footwear manufacturing for soles; rubber flooring in the construction industry; and electrical insulators for electronics and telecommunications.

To be utilized in these products, rubber undergoes vulcanization processes that enhance its mechanical strength and durability. Furthermore, the incorporation of reinforcing fillers can improve tensile and tear resistance. Commercial fillers, such as carbon black and silica, contribute to chemical and mechanical resistance, while the addition of fillers like calcium carbonate or talc reduces costs. These fillers decrease the polymer matrix mass without significantly compromising the material's properties. Other fillers can also enhance composite processing by reducing vulcanization time or improving molding and may impart new properties like electrical conductivity or flame resistance.

An alternative to replace—even partially—commercial fillers involves utilizing waste materials. Although many agricultural and industrial wastes are directed towards energy generation or by-products through pyrolysis processes, recycling and beneficiation methods remain complex, costly, and require improvement in product quality. Consequently, employing fillers in composites offers an environmental advantage by enabling proper disposal of these residues, reducing costs, and mitigating mineral resource exploitation.

However, challenges persist, such as ensuring that waste-derived fillers provide mechanical reinforcement surpassing that of commercial fillers, achieve homogeneous dispersion, promote cross-linking within the polymer matrix, and yield reproducible results. Reducing filler size to nanometric levels presents advantages in interaction with the polymer matrix, provided uniform distribution and phase compatibility are ensured. Nanoparticles, including graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, nanoclays, titanates, and ceramics, have been integrated into composites. Future research correlating nanostructured with waste materials may facilitate the development of advanced engineering composites. With this, we are pleased to invite you to submit papers representing new reinforcing fillers, whether organic, fibrous or inorganic (industrial), originating from waste recycling or the synthesis of metallic or magnetic nanostructures, or prominent results with known commercial fillers such as carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, etc.

This Special Issue aims to summarize recent advances regarding reinforcing fillers in rubber composites, reuse of waste as reinforcement, and nanostructures for the production of advanced engineering materials. Research articles and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Flávio Camargo Cabrera
Dr. Carlos Henrique Scuracchio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Composites Science is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • recycling
  • waste management
  • nanomaterials
  • filler
  • reinforcement

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3356 KiB  
Article
Effects of Incorporating Small Amounts of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles into Epoxidized Natural Rubber: Chemical Interactions, Morphology and Thermal Characteristics
by Omar S. Dahham and Khalid Al-Zamili
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(8), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9080434 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 348
Abstract
Nanocomposites were synthesized from epoxidized natural rubber (ENR-50) and magnetite (Fe3O4) at 1, 5, and 9 wt.%, respectively. Various analyses were conducted to gain comprehensive insight into the properties of the nanocomposites. It was found that the ring epoxide [...] Read more.
Nanocomposites were synthesized from epoxidized natural rubber (ENR-50) and magnetite (Fe3O4) at 1, 5, and 9 wt.%, respectively. Various analyses were conducted to gain comprehensive insight into the properties of the nanocomposites. It was found that the ring epoxide units can be opened and bonded with the Fe moieties of the magnetite to form an Fe-O-C structure, as shown in FTIR spectra at 690 and 700 cm−1. Peaks in UV-vis spectra at the wavelength of 297 nm shifted to 299, 303, and 309 nm for the nanocomposite samples with 1, 5, and 9 wt.% Fe3O4, respectively. XRD showed a decrease in the amorphous peak intensity, while new diffraction peaks emerged at 33° and 43°, indicative of the crystalline structure of the Fe3O4 in the nanocomposites. Based on TEM micrographs, it was found that the average size of Fe3O4 particles in the rubber matrix with 1 wt.% Fe3O4 was around 20 and 33 nm. SEM micrographs proved that nanoparticles with 1 wt.% Fe3O4 were regularly dispersed in the rubber matrix, and that magnetite nanoparticles were spherical in shape, as well as having strong interactions and bonding with the rubber matrix. A TGA thermogram showed three thermal steps of degradation across a wide temperature range, from 81 °C to 592 °C, and resistance to thermal degradation of the nanocomposite samples as compared to the rubber sample could be clearly observed. Furthermore, DCS showed higher Tg for nanocomposites at 24.4, 25.1, and 26.3 °C, respectively, compared to purified ENR-50 at −18.6 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rubber-Based Composites: Challenges in Reusing Waste and Nanostructures as Fillers)
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12 pages, 866 KiB  
Article
Reuse of Activated Carbon Filter Waste as Filler in Vulcanized Rubber Composites
by Viviane Chaves de Souza, Henrique Pina Cardim, Carlos Toshiyuki Hiranobe, Guilherme Pina Cardim, Iago William Zapelini, Leonardo Lataro Paim, Gleyson Tadeu Almeida Santos, Silvio Rainho Teixeira, Erivaldo Antônio da Silva, Renivaldo José dos Santos and Flávio Camargo Cabrera
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(8), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9080406 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 415
Abstract
The incorporation of residues into rubber composites has gained attention as a sustainable strategy to address waste management challenges while replacing commercial fillers. In this study, we investigated the potential use of water filter cartridge residue after exhaustion, composed of activated carbon, as [...] Read more.
The incorporation of residues into rubber composites has gained attention as a sustainable strategy to address waste management challenges while replacing commercial fillers. In this study, we investigated the potential use of water filter cartridge residue after exhaustion, composed of activated carbon, as a reinforcing filler in vulcanized natural rubber composites. Samples were prepared with 5, 10, 15, and 20 phr (per hundred rubber) of residue and compared to unfilled natural rubber. Stress vs. strain tests reached 13.9 MPa of tension at rupture for composites containing 10 phr of carbon-activated residues, representing a 21.9% increase compared to natural rubber. Interestingly, the tension at rupture for NR/AC10phr reached values close to those of NR/CB5phr (with carbon black N330) attaining 14.4 MPa. These results indicate that, even at relatively low concentrations, the carbon filter can offer partial substitution for commercial fillers. Moreover, the use of activated carbon from filter cartridges as filler in rubber composites provides an environmentally favorable alternative to energy-intensive regeneration processes for activated carbon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rubber-Based Composites: Challenges in Reusing Waste and Nanostructures as Fillers)
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