Effects of the Nanoclay and Crosslinking Systems on the Mechanical Properties of Ethylene-propylene-diene Monomer/styrene Butadiene Rubber Blends Nanocomposite

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of nanoclay and crosslinking systems on the cure characteristics, mechanical properties, abrasion resistance, compression set and swelling properties of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) blends. Nanocomposites were prepared by two-roll mill. In this work, three different crosslinking systems were used, namely, sulphur, dicumyl peroxide and the mixed system consisting of sulphur and peroxide. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, 100% modulus, hardness, crosslink density and tear strength of the EPDM/SBR nanocomposites were studied. Cure study indicates that nanoclay not only accelerates the curing reactions but also gives rise to a noticeable increase of the torque values, representing crosslinking density of the nanocomposites increases at the existence of nanoclay. The tensile strength and 100% modulus of EPDM/SBR nanocomposites increases with increase in nanoclay content up to 7.5 phr and then decreases for all the different cross-linking system. The elongation at break, hardness, tear strength and compression set increases with increasing content of nanoclay.