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Barium and strontium ferrite-filled composites based on NBR and SBR

Article  in  Journal of Elastomers and Plastics · August 2018

DOI: 10.1177/0095244318792036

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DOI: 10.1177/0095244318792036

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Ján Kruželák1, Martina Matvejová1,

Rastislav Dosoudil2 and Ivan Hudec1

Abstract
In the first part of the research, rubber magnetic composites were prepared by incor-
poration of strontium and barium ferrite in concentration scale ranging from 0 to 200
phr into rubber matrices based on acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber and styrene–buta-
diene rubber. The main objective was to investigate the influence of the type and content
of magnetic filler on the cross-link density, physical–mechanical and magnetic charac-
teristics of the prepared composites. In the second part of the study, the content of
magnetic fillers was kept on constant level—200 phr and the main aim was to investigate
the change in mutual combination of both fillers on the cross-linking and properties
of the rubber magnets. The results revealed that both fillers show reinforcement effect
in the rubber matrices. The higher tensile strength of composites was achieved by
application of barium ferrite. Magnetic properties of composite materials were signifi-
cantly influenced by magnetic characteristics of magnetic fillers. Higher remanent mag-
netic induction of barium ferrite was reflected in higher remanent magnetization of the
equivalent composites. On the other hand, higher coercivity of strontium ferrite
resulted in higher coercivity of strontium ferrite-filled composites.

Keywords
Barium ferrite, strontium ferrite, rubber composites, physical–mechanical properties,
magnetic characteristics

1
Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibres, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of
Technology in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
2
Department of Electromagnetic Theory, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak
University of Technology in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia

Corresponding author:
Ján Kruželák, Department of Plastics, Rubber and Fibres, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak
University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Email: jan.kruzelak@stuba.sk
2 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

Introduction
Ferrites are chemical compounds of iron oxide with oxides of other metals. Generally,
they are binary, eventually more complex compounds of iron oxide which can be
characterized by chemical formula (Me2kþOk2)m/2.(Fe23þO32)n, in which M is char-
acterizing metal (M2þ ¼ Sr2þ, Ba2þ, Mn2þ, Cu2þ, Ni2þ, Co2þ, Mg2þ, Fe2þ, Zn2þ, Cd2þ
or more precious materials as Ir4þ, Ti4þ, Ru4þ, či Zr4þ), k is valency of the metal, and m,
n are integers indicative proportional representation of oxides according to the described
formula.1–3 In terms of technological applications, one may distinguish between two
main types of ferrites, hard ferrites and soft ferrites. Magnetic soft materials with
coercivity Hc less than 1 kA/m have narrow hysteresis loop and low value of remanent
magnetic induction Br. Magnetic hard materials have wide hysteresis loop with coer-
civity higher than 2.5 kA/m. They also express high value of remanent magnetic
induction Br and high value of maximum energy product (BH)max. Ferrites may occur in
several crystallographic modifications, but in terms of possible applications, ferrites with
hexagonal structure express the biggest interest.4–7 Sr and Ba ferrites are the most
commonly used magnetic powdery fillers. Ferrite permanent magnets of general formula
SrFe12O19 or BaFe12O19 contain approximately 80% of iron oxide and 20% of strontium
or barium. They have good chemical stability, low specific weight, and suitable magnetic
characteristics. Operating temperature of ferrites ranges between 40 C and þ250 C.
The Curie point (Curie temperature), so the temperature above which a ferromagnetic
substance loses its ferromagnetism and becomes paramagnetic, is reached at about
450 C. Low price and chemical resistance are next benefits of these magnetic materials,
which have become very important materials as media for magnetic and magnetic–
optical recording, as components for reproducers, engines, and generators in automobile
industry.8–12
By incorporation of ferrite powdery fillers into various rubber matrices, it is possible
to prepare composite materials referred to as rubber magnets.13–18 Due to their elasticity
and easy processability, they are suitable for applications, in which good elasticity and
high flexibility are required. These attributes in combination with unique magnetic
characteristics rank them among the progressive developing materials, which have
already found utilization in many high-tech applications. Rubber composites with
magnetic fillers are able to sensitively respond to vibrations and absorb oscillations of
various wavelengths. They can also change magnetic and mechanical properties at
different forms of strain. Therefore, they have been applied in direct current motors, new
types of recording appliances, magnetic screeners, microwave and radar technology,
biotechnology, in motor parts, vibration absorbers, variable impedance surfaces, sensors
of magnetic and electromagnetic fields, memory devices, inductor cores, and in many
other technological applications.19–21
The main aim of the work was to investigate the influence of barium and strontium
ferrite as well as the change in the mutual combination of both fillers on the cross-link
density, physical–mechanical and magnetic characteristics of the rubber composites
based on acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR).
Kruželák et al. 3

Table 1. Composition of rubber compounds.

Component NBR, SBR ZnO Stearic acid CBS Sulfur Ferrites

Content (phr) 100 3 2 1.5 1.5 0–200

NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber; SBR: styrene–butadiene rubber; ZnO: zinc oxide; CBS: N-Cyclohexyl-2-
benzothiazole sulfenamide.

Experimental
Materials
NBR (SKN 3375, 33% content of acrylonitrile) was supplied by Sibur International,
Russia, and SBR (Kralex 1502, 23.5% of styrene) was supplied by Synthos, Kralupy,
Czech Republic. As magnetic fillers, strontium ferrite (SrFe12O19) and barium ferrite
(BaFe12O19) (Magnety, Světlá Hora, Czech Republic) were applied. A standard semi
efficient vulcanization sulfur curing system consisting of zinc oxide—3 phr (Slovlak,
Košeca, Slovakia), stearic acid—2 phr (Setuza, Ústı́ nad Labem, Czech Republic), N-
Cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS)—1.5 phr (Duslo, Šaľa, Slovakia), and
sulfur—1.5 phr (Siarkopol, Tarnobrzeg, Poland) was used for cross-linking of the rubber
matrices. In the first part of the study, magnetic fillers were incorporated into rubber
compounds in concentration scale ranging from 0 to 200 phr. The composition of rubber
compounds is mentioned in Table 1.
In the second part of the study, the content of magnetic fillers was kept on constant
level—200 phr and the mutual ratio of both ferrites was changed: 150 phr Sr ferrite: 50
phr Ba ferrite; 100 phr Sr ferrite: 100 phr Ba ferrite; 50 phr Sr ferrite: 150 phr Ba ferrite.
The composition of the curing system of composites with constant amount of ferrites was
the same as in the previous case.

Methods
Evaluation of structural characteristics of ferrites. The specific surface area and total porosity
of ferrites were determined by applying the method of mercury porosimetry. The
measurement was carried out using Porosimeter 1500 (Carlo Erba, Milan, Italy). Max-
imum press of mercury 150 MPa enables to determine pores up to the size of 5 nm.
Particle size distribution of tested fillers was investigated using Cilas 1064 L appliance
(Cilas, France). Fine particles are measured by scanning of scattering reflection, which is
formed by examined sample. The time of detection is 20 s in liquid state. Measurement is
performed in the range of attenuation of laser beam from 5% to 28%. The microstructure
of the applied ferrites was observed using the scanning electron microscope (SEM)
JEOL JSM-7500F (Jeol Ltd. Japan) at different accelerating strains. The surface of
ferrite powders was coated with a thin layer of gold and placed into the SEM. Density of
ferrites was provided by the manufacturers.
4 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

Preparation and curing of rubber compounds. The rubber compounds were prepared in a
laboratory mixer Brabender (Brabender GmbH & Co., Germany) in two mixing steps.
The temperature of chamber was set up to 90 C and the mixing process was performed in
the two steps at the rotor speed of 50 r/min. First, the rubber was plasticated, subse-
quently activators and fillers were added. The total time of first step mixing was 9 min
and the temperature ranged between 90 C and 95 C. In the second step (4 min, 90–
95 C), the curing system was introduced. Finally, the rubber compounds were homo-
genized in two-roll calender.
The curing process of the prepared rubber compounds was performed using hydraulic
press Fontijne (Fontijne Holland BV, Holland) at 160 C based upon the previously
determined optimum curing time under a pressure of 15 MPa. The rubber compounds
were cured into thin sheets with dimensions of 15  15 cm and thickness of 2 mm.

Determination of cross-link density of composites. Determination of cross-link density n is

based on equilibrium swelling of samples in suitable solvent. Two different solvents
were used. Samples of composites based on SBR were swelled in xylene, while samples
of composites based on NBR were swelled in acetone within the time until the equili-
brium swelling was reached. The experiments were carried out at a laboratory tem-
perature and the swelling time was equal to 30 h. The Krause modified Flory–Rehner
equation for filled vulcanizates22 was introduced to calculate the cross-link density based
upon the previously obtained equilibrium swelling degree
Vr0 lnð1  Vr Þ þ Vr þ wVr 2
n¼
VS Vr 1=3 Vr0 2=3  0; 5Vr
where n is the cross-link density (mol/cm3), Vr0 is the volume fraction of rubber in
equilibrium swelling sample of vulcanizate in the absence of fillers, Vr is the volume
fraction of rubber in equilibrium swelling sample of filled vulcanizate, VS is the molar
volume of solvent (for xylene ¼ 123.45 cm3/mol, for acetone ¼ 73.52 cm3/mol), and w is
the Huggins interaction parameter (for SBR-xylene, w ¼ 0.3908 and for NBR-acetone,
w ¼ 0.3692).

Evaluation of physical–mechanical properties. Zwick Roell/Z 2.5 appliance Zwick Roell

(Zwick GmbH & Co., Germany) was used to evaluate the tensile properties of composite
materials. The tests were performed in accordance with the valid technical standards and
the crosshead speed of the measuring device was set up to 500 mm/min. Dumbbell-shaped
test samples (width 6.4 mm, length 80 mm, thickness 2 mm) were used for measurements.
The hardness was measured using durometer and was expressed in Shore A.

Determination of magnetic characteristics of ferrites and composites. Magnetic characteristics

of tested ferrites and prepared magnetic composites were evaluated at a room tem-
perature and maximum coercivity of Hm ¼ 750 kA/m. For this purpose, magnetometer
TVM1 (Vúzort, Praha, Czech Republic) was used. The basic principle of measurement
is induction method of scanning of scattering magnetic flux F induced by magnetic
Kruželák et al. 5

Figure 1. SEM images of barium ferrite. SEM: scanning electron microscopy.

vibrating sample. Magnetic field is generated by means of two cores of Weiss electro-
magnet at a minimum distance of pole adapters 7.5 mm. The induced tension propor-
tional to time dependence of magnetic flux in the sample is scanned with the system of
four small cores. The cores eliminate the influence of time instability of electromagnet
magnetic fields and the change of magnetic flux is directly proportional to magnetic
induction B. The specimens for the magnetic characteristics evaluation were of prism
shape (8  4  2 mm).

Results and discussion

Characteristics of ferrites
For detailed characterization of applied ferrites, structural, magnetic, and other physical
characteristics were determined. The morphology of ferrite particles was evaluated by
SEM. SEM images of ferrite powders at different magnifications are illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2. From them, it is shown that magnetic fillers form aggregates of various
sizes and shapes. The shape of ferrite particles points to their hexagonal structure, which
can be clearly visible mainly in the case of strontium ferrite (Figure 2). From Table 2, it
is observed that structural and magnetic characteristics of both fillers are very similar.
Barium ferrite has slightly higher values of structural characteristics (specific surface
area, total porosity, total volume of pores) and higher remanent magnetic induction,
whereas strontium ferrite shows higher coercivity. The particle size distribution of fer-
rites revealed that the size of barium ferrite ranged from 0.1 to 10 mm, while the size of
strontium ferrite ranged from 0.1 to 20 mm.

Influence of the type and content of ferrite on the cross-link density and
properties of composites
In the first part of the study, barium and strontium ferrite were incorporated into rubber
matrices based on SBR and NBR in concentration scale ranging from 0 to 200 phr and
6 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

Figure 2. SEM images of strontium ferrite. SEM: scanning electron microscopy.

Table 2. Characteristics of barium and strontium ferrite.

Characteristics Barium ferrite Strontium ferrite

Density (g/cm3) 4.73 4.13

Particles size (μm) 0.1–10 0.1–20
Specific surface area (m2/g) 3.99 3.30
Total porosity (%) 59.47 54.94
Total volume of pores (cm3/g) 0.287 0.264
Coercivity Hc (kA/m) 110 116
Magnetic saturation Bs (T) 1.21 1.17
Remanent magnetic induction Br (T) 0.139 0.127

the main aim was to investigate the influence of the type and content of applied filler on
the cross-linking and properties of the prepared composites.
The cross-link density is a very important characteristic of all cured rubber systems. A
lot of resultant properties of cured elastomers are dependent on this structural parameter.
The cross-link density v of prepared composites was determined based on equilibrium
swelling of samples in suitable solvent using the Krause modified Flory–Rehner equa-
tion. During swelling, solvent diffuses into the rubber matrix and disrupt almost all
physical interactions between rubber chain segments. As a result, the concentration of
chemical cross-links, which are formed during the curing process, can be determined.
The results revealed that the presence of ferrites in rubber compounds leads to the
increase of cross-link density of both NBR- and SBR-based composites (Figures 3 and
4). However, the increase in cross-link density with increasing content of ferrites was not
very significant and was more visible mainly in the case of composites with high ferrite
loadings. It is also interesting that while in the case of composites based on NBR, higher
cross-link density was found in composites filled with strontium ferrite, the opposite
tendency was shown in the case of composites based on SBR. It is clearly apparent from
Kruželák et al. 7

Figure 3. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on cross-link density v of composites based
on NBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber.

Figure 4. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on cross-link density v of composites based
on SBR. SBR: styrene–butadiene rubber.

Figures 3 and 4 that the cross-link density of composites based on NBR filled with both
type of fillers was much higher when compared to the equivalent composites based on
SBR.
The increase of cross-link density with increasing content of magnetic fillers can be
attributed to the acceleration effect of ferrites on curing rate. Ferrites are complex
compounds of iron oxide and oxides of other metals, depending on the type of ferrite.
Such oxide structure of ferrites might have the similar effect on curing process as zinc
oxide, which activates the sulfur cross-linking process of rubber compounds by
8 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

Figure 5. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on modulus M100 of composites based on
NBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber.

formation of transition complexes by its reaction with sulfur and accelerators. These
complexes subsequently decompose to generate sulfur cross-linking agents, which react
with functional groups of rubber chains to form sulfur-based cross-links within the
rubber matrix. The achieved results showed that ferrites are actively integrated into
curing process and thus they contribute to the forming of spatial network structure inside
the rubber matrix.
The values of physical–mechanical properties of the tested composites are gra-
phically illustrated in Figures 5 to 10. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the dependences of
modulus M100 of rubber magnetic composites are in close relation with the depen-
dences of cross-link density (Figures 3 and 4). It is obvious that higher cross-link
density of composites based on NBR was responsible for higher modulus of compo-
sites when compared to equivalent composites based on SBR. The highest values of
modulus and the most significant increase of M100 in dependence on magnetic filler
exhibited composites based on NBR filled with strontium ferrite with the highest cross-
link density (Figure 5). By contrast, lower cross-link density and lower dependence of
cross-link density on filler loading of composites based on NBR filled with barium
ferrite were reflected in lower modulus M100 of those composites. The modulus M100
of composites based on SBR also showed increasing tendency with increasing content
of magnetic fillers, although no differences of M100 in dependence on the type of
ferrite were recorded (Figure 6).
The increasing trend of elongation at break of composites based on NBR as well as
SBR filled with both type of ferrites (Figures 7 and 8) seems to be surprising, as the
application of both fillers caused the increase in cross-link density. Higher cross-link
density restricts the mobility of rubber chain segments and thus the elasticity and
elongation are expected to be lowered. In the case of both NBR- and SBR-based
Kruželák et al. 9

Figure 6. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on modulus M100 of composites based on
SBR. SBR: styrene–butadiene rubber.

Figure 7. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on elongation at break of composites based
on NBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber.

composites, higher elongation at break is exhibited in composites filled with barium

ferrite. Lower cross-link density of composites based on NBR filled with barium ferrite
is responsible for higher elongation at break of the equivalent composites. However, this
presumption cannot be applied on composites based on SBR. Despite the fact that the
composites based on SBR filled with barium ferrite showed higher cross-link density,
they also exhibited higher elongation at break. It is observed from Figures 7 and 8 that
with the exception of reference unfilled samples, higher elongation at break was found in
10 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

Figure 8. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on elongation at break of composites based
on SBR. SBR: styrene–butadiene rubber.

Figure 9. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on tensile strength of composites based on
NBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber.

composites based on SBR in comparison with the corresponding composites based on

NBR. This could be attributed to a lower cross-link density of the composites based
on SBR.
From Figures 9 and 10, it is apparent that the incorporation of both type of ferrites into
the tested rubber matrices leads to the increase of tensile strength of rubber magnets. The
tensile strength of composites based on NBR increased to almost 2 MPa when the
amount of strontium ferrite increased from 0 to 200 phr (Figure 9). When barium ferrite
was applied, more significant increase of tensile strength was recorded (the tensile
Kruželák et al. 11

Figure 10. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on tensile strength of composites based on
SBR. SBR: styrene–butadiene rubber.

strength increased from 4.7 MPa for the unfilled sample to 7.5 MPa for the composite with
maximum ferrite loading). In the case of composites based on SBR, higher tensile strength
and higher increase of tensile strength in dependence on filler content were also recorded
by the application of barium ferrite. As seen in Figure 10, with the maximum barium ferrite
content, the tensile strength increased by more than 4.5 MPa (from 1.8 MPa for the ref-
erence unfilled sample to 6.2 MPa for the maximum filled composite).
Based upon the achieved results, it can be stated that both type of ferrites act as
reinforcing fillers in the tested rubber matrices. Higher tensile strength of NBR- as well
as SBR-based composites filled with barium ferrite can be attributed to the lower particle
size, and thus higher specific surface area of barium ferrite. The size of filler particles
and specific surface area are very important structural characteristics, which influence
the activity and reinforcing effect of the filler. In general, the smaller the filler particles,
the higher the specific surface area and higher the reinforcing effect of the filler when
incorporated in the rubber matrix. The results also revealed that higher reinforcing effect
of the examined ferrites was achieved by their application to the rubber matrix based on
SBR, as the tensile strength increased by more than twice with the maximum strontium
ferrite content and more than three times with the maximum barium ferrite content in
comparison with the unfilled sample (Figure 10).
As both tested ferrites are specified as a class of hard magnetic materials with high
values of magnetic parameters, their incorporation into nonmagnetic rubber matrix should
impart magnetic characteristics to the rubber composites as well. Therefore, the influence
of the type and content of ferrite on magnetic characteristics of rubber composites was also
under investigation. The most important magnetic characteristics of all permanent magnets
are the remanent magnetic induction Br and the coercive intensity of magnetic field
(coercivity) Hc. The remanent magnetic induction represents the value of residual
12 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

Figure 11. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on remanent magnetic induction Br of
composites based on NBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber.

Figure 12. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on remanent magnetic induction Br of
composites based on SBR. SBR: styrene–butadiene rubber.

magnetization retained in the magnetic material, when external magnetic field is removed.
The coercivity represents the intensity of external magnetic field, which is needed to
abolish the remanent magnetic induction in the material. The higher the values of both
characteristics that magnetic materials have, the better permanent magnets they are.
From Figures 11 and 12, it is apparent that the incorporation of both type of ferrites
into the rubber matrices caused a significant increase of the remanent magnetic induction
of NBR- as well as SBR-based composites. Higher remanent magnetic induction was
Kruželák et al. 13

Figure 13. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on coercivity Hc of composites based on
NBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber.

Figure 14. Influence of the type and content of ferrite on coercivity Hc of composites based on
SBR. SBR: styrene–butadiene rubber.

found in composites filled with barium ferrite, as barium ferrite exhibited higher Br in
comparison with strontium ferrite (Table 1). On the other hand, higher coercivity of
strontium ferrite was reflected in higher Hc of the equivalent NBR- and SBR-based
composites. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the values of coercivity of tested compo-
sites fluctuated only in a low range of experimental values, independently on the content
of magnetic fillers.
14 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

Figure 15. Influence of the mutual combination of barium and strontium ferrite on cross-link
density v of composites based on NBR and SBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber; SBR:
styrene–butadiene rubber.

Influence of the combination of barium and strontium ferrite on the cross-link

density and properties of composites
The goal of the second part of the study was to evaluate the influence of the mutual
combination of barium and strontium ferrite on the behavior of magnetic composites
based on NBR and SBR. The total content of fillers was kept constant in all rubber
formulations—200 phr, and only the ratio of barium and strontium ferrite was pro-
portionally changed. Rubber magnetic composites are identified according to the content
and ratio of barium and strontium ferrite they contain. Composites with 200 phr of
strontium ferrite are identified as Sr200, while composites with 200 phr of barium ferrite
are identified as Ba200. Composites with equivalent ratio of strontium and barium ferrite
are recognized as Sr100–Ba100.
As seen in Figure 15, the cross-link density of composites based on SBR is low and
almost no influence of the change in filler combination on the cross-linking degree was
observed. On the other hand, the decrease of cross-link density was possibly observed
with increasing amount of barium ferrite and decreasing amount of strontium ferrite in
filler combination in the composites based on NBR. The results correspond with the
results described in the previous chapter suggesting that composites based on NBR filled
with barium ferrite exhibited lower cross-link density in comparison with the equivalent
composites filled with strontium ferrite.
The dependences of modulus M100 of both type of composites are in close correlation
with the dependences of cross-link density. As shown in Figure 16, lower modulus
M100 was found in composites based on SBR with lower cross-link density. On the other
hand, higher cross-link density and the dependence of cross-link density on the change in
filler combination of composites based on NBR were reflected in similar dependence in
Kruželák et al. 15

Figure 16. Influence of the mutual combination of barium and strontium ferrite on modulus M100
of composites based on NBR and SBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber; SBR: styrene–buta-
diene rubber.

Figure 17. Influence of the mutual combination of barium and strontium ferrite on elongation at
break of composites based on NBR and SBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber; SBR: styrene–
butadiene rubber.

M100 of the corresponding composites (Figure 16). By contrast, lower cross-link density
of composites based on SBR was responsible for their higher elongation at break. From
Figure 17, it is observed that the increasing amount of barium ferrite in filler combination
leads to a slight increase of elongation at break of both NBR- and SBR-based compo-
sites. This can be attributed to a higher elongation at break of composites filled with
barium ferrite in comparison with corresponding composites filled with strontium ferrite
16 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

Figure 18. Influence of the mutual combination of barium and strontium ferrite on tensile
strength of composites based on NBR and SBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber; SBR: styr-
ene–butadiene rubber.

Figure 19. Influence of the mutual combination of barium and strontium ferrite on remanent
magnetic induction Br of composites based on NBR and SBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber;
SBR: styrene–butadiene rubber.

(Figures 7 and 8). Similar statement can be applied when describing the dependence of
tensile strength of composites on filler combination (Figure 18). As composites based on
NBR and SBR filled with barium ferrite showed higher tensile strength in all ferrite
concentration range, the increasing amount of barium ferrite in filler combination also
resulted in the increase of tensile strength of both type of composites. As it was already
mentioned in the section above, it can be attributed to the better structural characteristics
Kruželák et al. 17

Figure 20. Influence of the mutual combination of barium and strontium ferrite on coercivity Hc
of composites based on NBR and SBR. NBR: acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber; SBR: styrene–buta-
diene rubber.

of barium ferrite. Lower particle size distribution and higher specific surface area of
barium ferrite enable better adhesion and interaction between the rubber and the filler on
the interphase. Higher tensile strength of composites based on NBR can be attributed to a
higher cross-link density of those composites as well as to the microstructure of the
tested rubber matrices.
The experimentally obtained magnetic characteristics of composite materials in
dependence on filler combination are illustrated in Figures 19 and 20. It is apparent from
Figures 19 and 20 that the remanent magnetic induction Br showed slight increasing
tendency with increasing amount of barium ferrite and decreasing amount of strontium
ferrite in the mutual filler combination, while coercive intensity of magnetic field Hc
showed the opposite tendency. The dependence of both magnetic characteristics on the
ratio of both fillers is influenced by the magnetic properties of both fillers, thus higher
remanent magnetic induction of barium ferrite and higher coercivity of strontium ferrite,
respectively (Table 1). As observed from Figures 19 and 20, magnetic characteristics of
composites were almost not influenced by the type of rubber matrix.

Conclusion
The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of barium and strontium ferrite as
well as the change in mutual combination of both fillers on the cross-link density and
properties of rubber magnetic composites based on NBR and SBR.
The results revealed that the incorporation of ferrites resulted in the increase of cross-
link density and physical–mechanical properties of composites. The increase of tensile
strength of composites in dependence of magnetic filler content points to the reinforcing
effect of both ferrites in the rubber matrix. Higher tensile strength of composites filled
18 Journal of Elastomers & Plastics XX(X)

with barium ferrite can be attributed to the better structural characteristics of barium
ferrite, mainly lower particle size distribution and higher specific surface area. Higher
remanent magnetic induction of barium ferrite was reflected in higher remanent mag-
netic induction of barium ferrite-filled composites, while higher coercivity of strontium
ferrite was reflected in higher coercivity of the corresponding composites. The typical
dependences of cross-link density and properties of rubber magnetic composites in
dependence on ferrites loading were subsequently reflected in the dependences of the
cross-link density and characteristics of composites filled with combination of both
tested ferrite fillers.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship,
and/or publication of this article.

Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship,
and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Slovak Research and
Development Agency under the contract no. APVV-16-0136.

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