Dynamic properties of rubber vibration isolators and antivibration performance of a nanoclay‐modified silicone/poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer with 20 wt % LiClO4 blend system

Abstract

AbstractThis research explores the interlayer effect, hysteresis behavior, and dynamic antivibration properties of a poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer with 20 wt % LiClO4 (PEL) for modified silicone [silicone/polymer electrolyte (SP)] blends with clay and organoclay in various amounts. The results show that the polymer chains of PEL expand the clay gallery distance from 1.21 to 1.84 nm. Clay, after it has been organically modified, is added to SP blends, and its gallery spacing shortens from 2 to 1.7 nm. From the compression hysteresis results, along with the increased content of unmodified clay, the antivibration performance of the blends is elevated. In the dynamic antivibration testing results, along with the addition of clay and organoclay, the dynamic ratio of the blends is decreased; thus, in the vibration isolation performance, there is evidence of an elevated effect. On the other hand, after the clay is modified with ammonium salt, its vibration isolation effect is not better than that of the unmodified clay. In terms of the formulation of the nanocomposites, when the concentration of the clay is less than 4 wt %, it has a better effect on the vibration isolation and antivibration effect of SP blends. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3713–3720, 2006