Lower Life Cycle Cost, High Strength Heat Resistant Polymers for Track Bushing & Pads

To develop new materials for the rubber components of tank track system that have increased durability and performance, it is proposed to focus on reduction of crack formation and growth in the rubbers using specially tailored multiwall-carbon nanutubes. Carbon nanotubes as manufactured exist as entangled large clusters that previously have been very difficult to unentangle and exfoliate without severe degradation of the nanotube aspect ratio. These tailored multi-wall carbon nanotubes allow for their full exfoliation in the rubber, provide excellent bonding to the rubber and also have high aspect ratio greater than 60. Significant improvements in modulus, tear strength, creep, temperature resistance and lower hysteresis in the rubber are expected. The carbon nanotubes will be added at a 0.5-2% concentration to the rubber systems to allow for a cost effective system that is at least a 25% improvment in cost and life cycle. DNT proprietary technology fully exfoliates and allows for a selection of surfactants and other chemicals for addition to the carbon nanotubes, all in greater than 90% yield. The tubes will be either melt blended or added to an emulsion of rubber latex and dried (both techniques already demonstrated in other applications)and then added as a master batch to try to minimize changes in the current process. This process should maximize the chances of success in scaleup and fabrication of the parts.