Graphene Nanoplatelets Modified Chemlok® Adhesive System for Natural Rubber – Aluminium Bonded Component in Engine Mount

Generally, the engine mount is made from rubber and mild steel bonded with a Chemlok® adhesive system. It could be modified to provide sufficient bonding between natural rubber and aluminum. Therefore, this work aims to study a nano-manipulated adhesive system by modifying the existing Chemlok® adhesive system at different weight percentages of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) loading via two steps ultrasonic-assisted stirring process by ultrasonic bath and hot plate. The natural rubber (NR)-aluminum (Al) substrates were bonded using a hot press machine under the pressure of 100 kgf/cm2 for 20 minutes at 140 °C temperature. The samples were subjected to a 90-degree peel test based on ASTM D429 by the UTM machine, and the peel-fractured surfaces were evaluated both physically and under SEM. The adhesive strength increased with the increment of GNPs in the modified Chemlok® 205/220 system. The GNPs modified Chemlok® system achieved 30% improvement than the existing adhesive. The analyses proved the modification was successful. The modified system with GNPs dispersed at certain intercalation levels showed active functional groups, reinforcing effects, and thermal stability.