Effect of Epoxidized Natural Rubber on Dispersion of Organoclay and Curing Behavior of NR/BR/Organoclay Nanocomposites

In this work nanocomposite based on (NR/BR/Clay, 60/40/5) were prepared through melt blending in an internal mixer, at a temperature of 80°C and a rotor speed of 60 rpm. Different amounts (5, 10, 15 phr) of Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) with 50 mol% epoxidation (ENR 50) was used as a compatibilizer and its effects on dispersion of organoclay and the curing behavior of prepared nanocomposites was investigated. Evaluation of curing properties through using rubber process analyzer (RPA) equipment showed decrease in the scorch and also cure times of nanocomposites by employing of ENR. Minimum torque of rheometry (ML) of nanocomposites was decreased in presence of ENR; however the difference between maximum and minimum torque of rheometrey (MH-ML) was increased which was attributed to increasing of crosslink density. Nanocomposites exhibited higher tensile properties with the incorporation of ENR due to the more intercalation of silicate layers by the rubber which was shown in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanocomposite ، Rubber ، Organoclay ، ENR