NR/SBR/organoclay nanocomposites: Effects of molecular interactions upon the clay microstructure and mechano‐dynamic properties

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on (70/30) blends of natural rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and organoclay (OC) have been prepared successfully via meltmixing process. Effects of the extent of polymers/clay interactions upon the developed microstructure, fatigue life, and dynamic energy loss by the nanocomposites have been investigated. Maleated EPDM (EPDM-g-MAH) and epoxidized NR (ENR50) were employed as compatibilizer. Nanocomposites were characterized by means of X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscopy, root mean square, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. EPDM-g-MAH showed more potential in enhancing dispersion of the clay nanolayers and their interaction with rubber phases. More potential for separating and dis-persing the clay nanoplatelets with better interface enhancement was exhibited by EPDM-g-MAH as compatibilizer. This was consistent with higher resistance towards large strain cyclic deformations along with more heat build-up characteristics showed by EPDM-g-MAH based nanocomposites especially at compatibilizer/organoclay ratio of 3. Pronounced non-terminal behavior within low frequency region was also observed for melt storage modulus of this nanocomposite, indicating higher extent of intercalation/ exfoliation microstructure with reinforced interfaces than the nanocomposite generated by ENR50.

Nanocomposites of NR/SBR Blend Prepared by Latex Casting Method: Effects of Nano-TiO2 and Polystyrene-Encapsulated Nano-TiO2 on the Cure Characteristics, Physical Properties, and Morphology

“…High-performance elastomeric materials have been produced by developing multicomponent systems in terms of rubber blend and/or rubber nanocomposites [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Blending of rubbers is an important technique to improve certain properties not inherent in a single rubber, while incorporating an inorganic nanofiller (nanosized filler) even at a very low loading (less than 10 wt%) into rubber matrix by physical mixing has attracted considerable interest for both scientific challenges and industrial applications due to their high-performance properties [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

“…Blending of rubbers is an important technique to improve certain properties not inherent in a single rubber, while incorporating an inorganic nanofiller (nanosized filler) even at a very low loading (less than 10 wt%) into rubber matrix by physical mixing has attracted considerable interest for both scientific challenges and industrial applications due to their high-performance properties [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Natural rubber (NR) is one of the most important natural biosynthesis polymers, according to its high elasticity, resilience and mechanical properties, low heat build-up and cost, and good formability [1,[4][5][6][7][8][9]. NR can exhibit higher tensile and tear strength than synthetic rubbers due to its ability to undergo strain crystallization [1,[6][7][8][9].…”

“…However, NR suffers from poor weathering, ozone, oil, and thermal resistance because of its nonpolarity and high unsaturation [9,10]. Consequently, NR is normally modified by simple blending with commercially available rubbers and/or fillers to improve its physical properties, thermal stability, and end-use performances [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]10]. Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) is a synthetic copolymer derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, which can be commercially produced in a latex form by an emulsion polymerization process [1,6,16].…”

“…Nowadays, several inorganic nanofillers such as silica [3,6,8,12], organoclay [4,5], titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) [2,11,12], halloysite nanotubes [13,14], carbon nanotubes [15], and other nanomaterials [7,16] have been exploited for preparing rubber nanocomposites. This is because the nanofillers can offer high stiffness and strength by inhibiting the propagation of cracks and delaying the breakdown of materials, along with an increase in the thermal stability of nanocomposites [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”

“…This is because the nanofillers can offer high stiffness and strength by inhibiting the propagation of cracks and delaying the breakdown of materials, along with an increase in the thermal stability of nanocomposites [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. To achieve the desired properties, the nanofillers must sufficiently disperse in the rubber matrix, as poor dispersion results in deteriorating of the performance properties.…”