Effect of nanofillers on radiation crosslinked natural rubber latex vulcanisates

Radiation vulcanised natural rubber latex (RVNRL) nano composites were prepared by incorporating aqueous dispersions of fumed silica and nano clay (fluorohectorite) in the RVNRL. Properties of the nanocomposites were compared with vulcanisates containing inert filler were used. RVNRL/nano silica composites showed superior tensile properties. TGA analysis indicated that the thermal stability of RVNRL/nano composites is higher than that of micro composites. Theoretica lmoduli of nano and micro composites were computed using different composite models and compared with experimental data. A good agreement between experimental and theoretical values was observed in the case of RVNRL/nano silica composites. The transparency of the composites was quantified using UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The morphology analysis of the composites using scanning electron microscopy indicated that the nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed in NR matrix.