STRUCTURES AND PROPERTIES OF NATURAL RUBBER/ORGANOCLAY NANOCOMPOSITES

Abstract

Natural rubber (NR), 30% epoxidized natural rubber (ENR30) and organoclays (Nanomer I28E and I30E) are blended in Brabender. Dispersions of the organoclay in NR are investigated by X – ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed the increase of dispersion efficiency by the addition of ENR30 as a compatibilizer. The existence of organoclay I28E reduces the vulcanization time, while torque value increases slightly and mechanical properties (abrasion resistance, modulus M100, modulus M300, tensile strength, tear strength) are improved considerably.