Reinforcement and curing characteristics of organoclay filled natural rubber nanocomposites

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.