Prepared Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber (HNBR)/Organo-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites by the Melt Intercalation Method

The polymer, Hydrogenated Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) was melt compounded with organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT). The dispersion of the OMMT in the HNBR matrix was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which indicated that at the temperature of 100 degrees C, the organoclay belong to the exfoliated and interlayer structure. The effect of sulfur on the dispersion of OMMT in the polymer matrix was also studied. The vulcanization changed the dispersion of OMMT in polymer matrix greatly and the basal spacing of clay layers is decreased after vulcanization. The mechanical properties, Akron abrasion and the crude oil medium aging-resistant of HNBR nanocomposites were examined as a function of the OMMT content in the matrix of polymer. The results of the test show remarkable improvement in tensile strength, tear strength, aging-resistant, and hardness of HNBR nanocomposites than that of unfilled HNBR. It is obvious that the 10 phr of OMMT filled nanocomposites have the best mechanical properties. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 2870-2876, 2010