Mechanical properties of nr latex- nano silica composites

Nanosilica is used as filler and is separately incorporated into the latex matrix and the corresponding nano composites are prepared by co-vulcanization method. The mechanical properties are measured and compared with the corresponding macroscopic latex-silica composites. The study reveals that there is a remarkable increase in the properties when Nanosilica is used as filler in the latex matrix due to the improved latex-nano particle interaction and better homogeneity in the distribution of nano particles in the latex matrix. The effects of nanolayer reinforcement are manifested in terms of reduced swelling by solvents and higher modulus values in the latex-nano particle composites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and tunneling electron microscopy (TEM) are done for characterisation studies.