The effect of clay modification on organo‐montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites has been studied. Organo‐montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites were prepared through a melt intercalation process. NBR nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and a universal testing machine (UTM). XRD showed that the basal spacing in the clay increased, which means that the NBR matrix was intercalated in the clay layer galleries. On TEM images, organo‐montmorillonite (MMT) particles were clearly observed, having been exfoliated into nanoscale layers of about 10–20 nm thickness from their original 40 µm particle size. These layers were uniformly dispersed in the NBR matrix. The DMTA test showed that for these nanocomposites the plateau modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) increased with respect to the corresponding values of pure NBR (without clay). UTM test showed that the nanocomposites had superior mechanical properties, ie strength and modulus. These improved properties are due to the nanoscale effects and strong interactions between the NBR matrix and the clay interface. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry

Nanocomposites of organophilic montmorillonite (C18-MMT), nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), and a coupling agent were produced during a melt compounding process at room temperature. During the process, it was clearly observed that organo-MMT particles were exfoliated into nanoscale layers of approximately 1-30 nm thickness, in addition to their original 40 m thickness. These MMT layers were uniformly dispersed in the NBR matrix. The effects of a coupling agent such as 3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxy silane in C18-MMT/NBR nanocomposites were studied. The C18-MMT/NBR nanocomposites in the presence of the coupling agent were identified and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, a universal testing machine, thermogravimetric analysis, and IR spectroscopy. It was observed that an additional silane coupling agent, 3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxy silane, enhanced the chemical interaction and was accompanied by the formation of SiOOOSi coupling bonds between C18-MMT and the coupling agent and SiOC coupling bonds between NBR and the coupling agent. This work resulted in improved properties of organo-MMT/NBR nanocomposites because of the nanoscale effects and strong interaction of the coupling bonds between NBR and organo-MMT.

Organo‐montmorillonite/nitrile rubber (NBR) nanocomposites were prepared by a melt intercalation process. The characteristics of NBR nanocomposites were determined by an oscillating disk rheometer and transmission electron microscopy. The cure characteristics were investigated according to the change in clay content and clay types. This study confirmed that organo‐montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites have various cure characteristics, namely minimum torque, maximum torque, scorch time and curing time, according to the change in clay content and clay types. In particular, as the chain length of the modifier used for the treatment of Na+‐MMT following vulcanization increases, scorch time and optimum curing time are reduced. This is because, as the chain length of the modifier increases, organo‐MMT is distributed more equally during the formation of the nanocomposites. As swelling increases, the chain length of the clay modifier expands and then constitutes a better barrier. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry

Organo-montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites were prepared by a melt intercalation process. The characteristics of NBR nanocomposites were characterized by oscillating-disk rheometer, watervapour transmission and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Changes in cure characteristics resulting from changes in clay content and the addition of silane coupling agent were investigated. The study confirmed that organo-montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites cure characteristics, viz minimum torque, maximum torque, scorch time and curing time, change according to the change in clay content and the addition of silane coupling agent. Of the water-vapour transport properties, the clay content and silane content are the dominating factors in determining the individual water-vapour permeability of these NBR nanocomposites. TEM analysis provided clear evidence for the homogeneous dispersion of clay in the NBR matrix without regard to increases in clay content.