The effects of the organo clay and EPDM-g-MAH as a compatibilizer on the cure properties of EPDM/SBR (50/50)

In recent years polymer/layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites have drawn great attention both in industry and academics due to their superior properties in relation toconventional composites. On the other hand blending of elastomers is a useful technique to prepare new products fromexisting polymers. Ethylene–propylene-diene monomer(EPDM) rubber is a widely used rubber in many fields and is a type of synthetic rubber that because of its saturated backbonecan improve heat and ozone resistance of high diene rubbers via blending. Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is a diene rubber that is oftenconsidered as a candidate for blending with EPDM. It is low in cost and relatively easy to process. Reactivity differencesbetween the elastomers and differences between the solubility of curatives in the elastomers also contribute to the incompatibility [1].The effects of nanoclay loading on characteristics andproperties of EPDM and SBR have been investigated by the researchers [2,3]. and possibility of improvement of dispersion of nanoclay in EPDM by the addition of maleated EPDM (EPDM-g-MA) was shown [4]. The objective of the present work is to study the effects of thenano clay and EPDM-g-MAH as a compatibilizer on the cure properties of EPDM/SBR (50/50).