Abstract
Natural rubber (NR) - organoclay nanocomposites (NROCN) and NR-clay (un-modified montmorillonite clay) composites (NRCC) were prepared using different loading of OC/unmodified clay by melt compounding process using a laboratory scale internal mixer in view of investigating the organoclay (OC) effect on curing characteristics and reinforcing behaviour in NR compound formulations. X-ray diffraction analysis of NROCN’s revealed predominantly exfoliated OC structures within the NR nanocomposite materials, especially with a lower loading of OC where as NRCC’s showed MMT clay aggregates with larger clay stacks leading to conventional NR composite materials. Vulcanization characteristics of the clay filled NR compounds, especially processing safety, curing time and delta torque, have been interpreted with respect to the organic modifier in the OC and OC clay loading. NROCN vulcanizates have shown a significant enhancement in solid-state mechanical properties compared to those of NR gum and NRCC vulcanizates. Mechanical property data have been explained in terms of compatibility, degree of exfoliation and clay loading.
Highlights
Natural rubber can be converted into useful elastomeric engineering materials for many applications when it is reinforced with filler material
Vulcanization characteristics of organoclay/clay filled rubber compounds Curing characteristics of the clay filled Natural rubber (NR) compounds measured with the moving die rheometer are presented in Table 2 whilst Figures 1 and 2 show the effect of organoclay/clay on scorch time, TS2 and cure time, T90 for both Natural rubber/organoclay nanocomposites (NROCN) and NR-clay (unmodified montmorillonite clay) composites (NRCC) compounds respectively
Addition of organoclay into the NR showed a significant reduction in on-set vulcanization time and, as a result reduced processing safety and curing time of the compound
Summary
Natural rubber can be converted into useful elastomeric engineering materials for many applications when it is reinforced with filler material. In recent years rubber-clay (layered silicate) nanocomposites have shown a great potential over conventional carbon black filled rubber compounds, because they often exhibit remarkable improvement in material properties when compared with neat rubber or conventional rubber compounds (Zhang et al, 2008). Montmorillonite (MMT) clay is the most commonly used reinforcing material in nanocomposite preparation due to its high cation exchange capacities, large surface area, good surface reactivity and surface adsorptive properties. Organophilic modification makes the clay silicate layers compatible with the polymer. Such modified clays are commonly called as organoclay (OCs) (Zang et al, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
