Properties and Dispersion of EPDM/Modified‐Organoclay Nanocomposites

Abstract

Abstract Elastomers show improved properties when reinforced with nanoclay at low filler loadings, but dispersion of the clay is difficult in non‐polar polymers, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). In this work several compatibilization approaches were studied, including the addition of EPDM modified with maleic anhydride (EPDM‐ g ‐MA) and the use of organoclay modified with maleic anhydride‐grafted liquid vinyl polybutadiene (LVPB‐ g ‐MA). The use of LVPB‐ g ‐MA‐modified organoclay increased the degree of dispersion as measured by X‐ray diffraction, giving increased thermal stability and modulus, and decreased swelling. Flame resistance was poorer for the EPDM/LVPB‐ g ‐MA‐modified organoclay system compared to the unmodified EPDM/organoclay compound. The resistivity of the nanoclay‐filled composites was lower than the reference EPDM compound, but dielectric properties for the LVPB‐ g ‐MA modified organoclay were similar to the reference. magnified image