Preparation and characteristics of nitrile rubber (NBR) nanocomposites based on organophilic layered clay

The effect of clay modification on organo-montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites has been studied. Organo-montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites were prepared through a melt intercalation process. NBR nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and a universal testing machine (UTM). XRD showed that the basal spacing in the clay increased, which means that the NBR matrix was intercalated in the clay layer galleries. On TEM images, organo-montmorillonite (MMT) particles were clearly observed, having been exfoliated into nanoscale layers of about 10–20 nm thickness from their original 40 µm particle size. These layers were uniformly dispersed in the NBR matrix. The DMTA test showed that for these nanocomposites the plateau modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) increased with respect to the corresponding values of pure NBR (without clay). UTM test showed that the nanocomposites had superior mechanical properties, ie strength and modulus. These improved properties are due to the nanoscale effects and strong interactions between the NBR matrix and the clay interface. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry