Molecular dynamics simulation and flame-retardant characterization of steel slag powder-modified styrene-butadiene rubber composites

The partial substitution of carbon black with steel slag powder (SSP) in the preparation of steel slag powder-carbon black/styrene-butadiene rubber composites (SSP–CB/SBR) is an effective approach to enhancing the high-value utilization of SSP. The compatibility of SSP–CB/SBR is fundamental to the d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zhifang ZONG, Jianwen PENG, Xiaojian REN, Tianci GAO, Wenjing ZHANG, Ling ZHAO, Yurong XIA, Hao ZHANG, Yong JIA
Format: Article
Language:zho
Published: Science Press 2025-07-01
Series:工程科学学报
Subjects:
Online Access:http://cje.ustb.edu.cn/article/doi/10.13374/j.issn2095-9389.2024.08.30.002
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850074766587723776
author Zhifang ZONG
Jianwen PENG
Xiaojian REN
Tianci GAO
Wenjing ZHANG
Ling ZHAO
Yurong XIA
Hao ZHANG
Yong JIA
author_facet Zhifang ZONG
Jianwen PENG
Xiaojian REN
Tianci GAO
Wenjing ZHANG
Ling ZHAO
Yurong XIA
Hao ZHANG
Yong JIA
author_sort Zhifang ZONG
collection DOAJ
description The partial substitution of carbon black with steel slag powder (SSP) in the preparation of steel slag powder-carbon black/styrene-butadiene rubber composites (SSP–CB/SBR) is an effective approach to enhancing the high-value utilization of SSP. The compatibility of SSP–CB/SBR is fundamental to the development of multi-component composites. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were used to construct a steel slag-SBR interfacial model and assess the interfacial compatibility of the two components. Further experimental analyses were conducted to analyze the effects of SSP fineness on the mechanical and flame-retardant properties of SSP–CB/SBR, addressing the limitations of molecular simulation. The results showed that the dicalcium silicate (C2S) and tricalcium silicate (C3S) fractions in steel slag effectively interacted with the SBR interface, exhibiting minimal temperature-energy fluctuations and reaching equilibrium. Radial distribution function and interaction energy calculations showed a pronounced molecular aggregation effect between C2S, C3S, and SBR, leading to a reduced spacing of 18 Å and enhanced binding strength. When the SSP particle size was controlled at 600 mesh, the tensile strength of SSPCB/SBR increased significantly to 16.91 MPa, representing a 17.19% improvement over the sample without SSP. The incorporation of SSP into the SBR system effectively improved the flame-retardant properties of SSPCB/SBR, as reflected in increased oxygen indices. This enhancement was attributed to the uniform distribution of SSP within the SBR matrix, which formed a thermal barrier during combustion. Further characterization using scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis showed that SSP–CB/SBR prepared with 600-mesh had a uniform texture and a dense carbon layer after combustion. The presence of SSP effectively retarded the thermal decomposition of SSP–CB/SBR, resulting in improved combustion stability. These observations elucidate the flame-retardant mechanism of the composite materials, where SSP contributes to the formation of a stable carbon layer that inhibits heat transfer during combustion. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that SSP can serve as a viable partial replacement material for carbon black in SSP–CB/SBR, producing composites with enhanced mechanical and flame-retardant properties. The combination of molecular dynamics simulations and experimental analyses provides a comprehensive understanding of interfacial interactions and material properties, laying the foundation for the development of high-performance composites. This study not only demonstrates the potential of steel slag as a sustainable and cost-effective filler material but also advances the field of high-performance composites by introducing novel design and optimization concepts.
format Article
id doaj-art-94d42f112c09454f8c331f04edc776e8
institution DOAJ
issn 2095-9389
language zho
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Science Press
record_format Article
series 工程科学学报
spelling doaj-art-94d42f112c09454f8c331f04edc776e82025-08-20T02:46:29ZzhoScience Press工程科学学报2095-93892025-07-014771485149310.13374/j.issn2095-9389.2024.08.30.002240830-0002Molecular dynamics simulation and flame-retardant characterization of steel slag powder-modified styrene-butadiene rubber compositesZhifang ZONG0Jianwen PENG1Xiaojian REN2Tianci GAO3Wenjing ZHANG4Ling ZHAO5Yurong XIA6Hao ZHANG7Yong JIA8School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, ChinaResource Utilization Research Office, Jiangsu Yonggang Group Co., Ltd., Zhangjiagang 215628, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, ChinaSchool of Metallurgical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, ChinaSchool of Metallurgical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, ChinaSchool of Metallurgical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, ChinaEngineering Technology Research Center of Anhui Education Department for Energy Saving and Pollutant Control in Metallurgical Process, Maanshan 243002, ChinaThe partial substitution of carbon black with steel slag powder (SSP) in the preparation of steel slag powder-carbon black/styrene-butadiene rubber composites (SSP–CB/SBR) is an effective approach to enhancing the high-value utilization of SSP. The compatibility of SSP–CB/SBR is fundamental to the development of multi-component composites. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were used to construct a steel slag-SBR interfacial model and assess the interfacial compatibility of the two components. Further experimental analyses were conducted to analyze the effects of SSP fineness on the mechanical and flame-retardant properties of SSP–CB/SBR, addressing the limitations of molecular simulation. The results showed that the dicalcium silicate (C2S) and tricalcium silicate (C3S) fractions in steel slag effectively interacted with the SBR interface, exhibiting minimal temperature-energy fluctuations and reaching equilibrium. Radial distribution function and interaction energy calculations showed a pronounced molecular aggregation effect between C2S, C3S, and SBR, leading to a reduced spacing of 18 Å and enhanced binding strength. When the SSP particle size was controlled at 600 mesh, the tensile strength of SSPCB/SBR increased significantly to 16.91 MPa, representing a 17.19% improvement over the sample without SSP. The incorporation of SSP into the SBR system effectively improved the flame-retardant properties of SSPCB/SBR, as reflected in increased oxygen indices. This enhancement was attributed to the uniform distribution of SSP within the SBR matrix, which formed a thermal barrier during combustion. Further characterization using scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis showed that SSP–CB/SBR prepared with 600-mesh had a uniform texture and a dense carbon layer after combustion. The presence of SSP effectively retarded the thermal decomposition of SSP–CB/SBR, resulting in improved combustion stability. These observations elucidate the flame-retardant mechanism of the composite materials, where SSP contributes to the formation of a stable carbon layer that inhibits heat transfer during combustion. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that SSP can serve as a viable partial replacement material for carbon black in SSP–CB/SBR, producing composites with enhanced mechanical and flame-retardant properties. The combination of molecular dynamics simulations and experimental analyses provides a comprehensive understanding of interfacial interactions and material properties, laying the foundation for the development of high-performance composites. This study not only demonstrates the potential of steel slag as a sustainable and cost-effective filler material but also advances the field of high-performance composites by introducing novel design and optimization concepts.http://cje.ustb.edu.cn/article/doi/10.13374/j.issn2095-9389.2024.08.30.002ssp–cb/sbrmolecular dynamicsinterface modeltensile strengthflame retardant mechanism
spellingShingle Zhifang ZONG
Jianwen PENG
Xiaojian REN
Tianci GAO
Wenjing ZHANG
Ling ZHAO
Yurong XIA
Hao ZHANG
Yong JIA
Molecular dynamics simulation and flame-retardant characterization of steel slag powder-modified styrene-butadiene rubber composites
工程科学学报
ssp–cb/sbr
molecular dynamics
interface model
tensile strength
flame retardant mechanism
title Molecular dynamics simulation and flame-retardant characterization of steel slag powder-modified styrene-butadiene rubber composites
title_full Molecular dynamics simulation and flame-retardant characterization of steel slag powder-modified styrene-butadiene rubber composites
title_fullStr Molecular dynamics simulation and flame-retardant characterization of steel slag powder-modified styrene-butadiene rubber composites
title_full_unstemmed Molecular dynamics simulation and flame-retardant characterization of steel slag powder-modified styrene-butadiene rubber composites
title_short Molecular dynamics simulation and flame-retardant characterization of steel slag powder-modified styrene-butadiene rubber composites
title_sort molecular dynamics simulation and flame retardant characterization of steel slag powder modified styrene butadiene rubber composites
topic ssp–cb/sbr
molecular dynamics
interface model
tensile strength
flame retardant mechanism
url http://cje.ustb.edu.cn/article/doi/10.13374/j.issn2095-9389.2024.08.30.002
work_keys_str_mv AT zhifangzong moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites
AT jianwenpeng moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites
AT xiaojianren moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites
AT tiancigao moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites
AT wenjingzhang moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites
AT lingzhao moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites
AT yurongxia moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites
AT haozhang moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites
AT yongjia moleculardynamicssimulationandflameretardantcharacterizationofsteelslagpowdermodifiedstyrenebutadienerubbercomposites