Nanoalloy based on clays: Intercalated-exfoliated layered silicate in high performance elastomer

摘要

A novel method is described for the preparation of nanocomposites comprising a high performance rubber for tire application and layered silicates clay. In this work nanocomposites of solution-styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) with montmorillonite layered silicate were prepared with carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR), a polar rubber, as a compatibilizer. A sufficient amount of organomodified layered silicate was loaded in carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) and this compound was blended as a master batch in the S-SBR. Mixed intercalated/exfoliated morphologies in the nanocomposite are evinced by X-ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscopy. Dynamic mechanical analysis also supports the compatibility of the composites. A good dispersion of the layered silicate in the S-SBR matrix was reflected from the physical properties of the nanocomposites, especially in terms of tensile strength and high elongation properties.