The synergistic effect of carbon nanofiber and non-ionic surfactant was investigated for the electrical, polymerization and mechanical properties of composites of natural rubber. The electrical properties of the vulcanized natural rubber were measured, according to the ISO 2878 standard. The polymerization characteristics and mechanical properties of the vulcanized natural rubber vulcanizates were also evaluated. The results indicated that the electrical resistance was dramatically reduced when carbon nanofiber and nonionic surfactant were incorporated together, and the percolation threshold value was 8 phr (parts per 100 g of rubber). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Considering the curing characteristics, it was found that natural rubber vulcanized with 2 phr of carbon nanofiber and non-ionic surfactant together, exhibited low values ​​of optimal curing time (t90) compared to carbon nanofiber and alone non-ionic surfactant. Natural rubber vulcanizates achieved better mechanical properties at low loading than the combination of carbon nanofiber and nonionic surfactant. This study will lead to the production of electrically conductive natural rubber composites with a low amount of carbon nanofiber, with improved polymerization and mechanical properties. Electrically conductive polymer composites are used in electromagnetic shielding materials, self-regulating heaters, pressure sensors, etc. Several carbon materials have been used to make electrically conductive natural rubber composites; such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes and graphene. Large quantities of carbon black must be used to make electrically conductive natural rubber composites. It is necessary to use expensive methods to synthesize carbon nanotubes and graphene. Metallic particles such as nickel, aluminum and iron have been used to produce electrically conductive polymers. Machine wear problems have been caused by the composition of metal particles in the polymer matrix. Carbon fiber has been mainly used as an electrical conductive material in various rubber matrices; such as silicone [6] and chloroprene rubber. The electrical and mechanical properties of NBR, EPDM and their blends were studied by incorporating acetylene black and short carbon fiber. Carbon fiber/natural rubber and carbon fiber/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) composites used for electromagnetic shielding were reported by Das et al. where the percolation value was 15 phr (parts per 100 g of rubber) for carbon fiber/natural rubber composites. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Non-ionic surfactants have been used as an antistatic agent in rubber composites, due to its electrical conductive property. Nonionic surfactants have also been used to improve the dispersion of reduced graphene oxide in rubber latex. A large amount of carbon fiber imparts a dark color to the rubber composite, which may adversely affect the application of conductive rubber. When non-ionic surfactants are used in large quantities it may cause “blooming” on the rubber surface. Therefore, the synergistic effect of carbon nanofiber and non-ionic surfactant was investigated to improve the electrical conductive property of natural rubber composites without causing color effects.