Studies on novel dual filler based epoxidized natural rubber nanocomposite

Abstract

Abstract Carbon black (N‐330), organically modified nanoclay (NC) based ternary, particulate nanocomposites comprising of epoxidized natural rubber matrix having 25 mol% of epoxy group (ENR‐25) were prepared in an open two‐roll mill. Investigations of cure characteristics, dynamic mechanical, tensile, thermal, and morphological characteristics were conducted using Rheometric analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), mechanical property evaluation, Thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR‐TEM), respectively, to derive the interrelation among the developed nanostructures inside the composite, crosslinking density, performance properties obtained there from. A satisfactory level of correlation was obtained among various results, which indicated the formation of “nanounit” comprising of N‐330 and NC inside ENR‐25 matrix. To optimize the nanostructures, ENR based compounds containing various combinations of NC and N‐330 was prepared. Thorough and systematic structure‐property analyses were performed on those composites. Optimum stoichiometric combination of N‐330 and NC inside the ENR‐25 matrix was derived (ratio of N‐330 and nanoclay in wt% = 20:15), which showed synergistic effect of one filler upon another that was ultimately reflected in their dynamic mechanical and tensile properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers