Synthesis and properties of silicone rubber/organomontmorillonite hybrid nanocomposites

Abstract

In this article, silicone rubber/organomontmorillonite hybrid nanocomposites were prepared via a melt-intercalation process. The resulting hybrid nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results proved that the organomontmorillonite could be exfoliated into ca. 50-nm thickness and uniformly dispersed in the silicone rubber matrix during the melt-intercalation process. Furthermore, the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the hybrids were very close to those of aerosilica-filled silicone rubber. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 1557–1561, 1998