Studies of Reinforcement Behavior of Unique Elastomer-Based Nanocomposite Gels

Unique nanocomposite (NC) gels were prepared by blending water swollen unmodified montmorillonite clay suspension with natural rubber (NR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latices followed by prevulcanization. These were extensively characterized by dynamic light scattering, solvent swelling, tensile, and dynamic mechanical measurements. Reinforcement behavior of NC gels was investigated by adding NC gels into virgin NR and SBR matrices at various loadings. The distribution and morphology of NC gels in the elastomer matrices was studied by X-ray dot mapping and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Experimental results indicated tremendous improvement of tensile strength (TS) and modulus of the NC gel-filled matrices along with noticeable changes in dynamic mechanical and rheological properties. Compared with virgin NR, the TS of 16 phr NC gel-filled NR system increased by 117%. Similar level of enhancement of TS was also registered for the NC gel-filled SBR systems. NC gel-filled systems showed higher shear viscosities and lower die-swell values compared with their virgin counterparts. Contemporary particulate composite and nanofiller reinforcement models were used to understand the reinforcing behavior of these NC gels. POLYM. COMPOS., 32:103-113, 2011. (C) 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers