Nanostructure feature and mechanical characterization of silicone rubber/clay hybrid

摘要

Nanocomposites have unique properties not shared by their conventional microcomposite counterparts and cuase much attention recently. Melt intercalation compounding process is one of promising new approaches of synthesizing polymer/clay nanocomposites by using organosilicate and the conventional twin screw extrusion compounding process~([1-3]). During the metl extrusion process, the organosilicates are exfoliated into nanometer layers and uniformly disperse in the polyer matrix. Layered mica-type silicates such as vermiculite, smectite and montmorillonite (MMT) are suitable fillers for this process~([4]). Currently, most silicone rubber is reinforced by fumed silica which is more expensive than the other fillers. Foumed silica with very small particle size (5 approx 20 nm) is easy to agregate and is difficult to disperse in rubber matrix. Fumed silica particles are liable to be inhaled into human body and do harm to the worker's health~([5]). We have successfully prepared silicone rubber/clay hybrids via melt intercalation compounding process~([6]). We here firstly report the nanometer structure features and the mechanical properties of silicone rubber/MMT hybrid nanocomposites.