NATURAL RUBBER HYBRID NANOCOMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SWELLED ORGANOCLAY AND NANO-CALCIUM CARBONATE

Abstract

Abstract Two natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites have been prepared with organoclay(MMT) and swelled organoclay (SMMT) using melt intercalation method. The effect of these two MMTss on the morphology, rheometery, and mechanical behaviors of NR has been evaluated. Scorch times for the MMT-filled compounds were very short compared to unfilled compounds. A more pronounced effect was achieved by using SMMT as reinforcing agent. The obtained results reveal that nanocomposites reinforced by SMMT have more adequate morphology, rheometery, and mechanical behaviors as well as swelling resistance. The microstructure of the NR/MMT systems was studied by x-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Following, the effect of different content of nano-calcium carbonate on dispersion of MMT layers in NR/SMMT nanocomposites was investigated. The results show that the optimized value of filler in dual fillers-based nanocomposite systems was equal to 10 phr nano-calcium carbonate. NR based hybrid nanocomposites containing SMMT and nano-calcium carbonate was showed 445% increase in tensile strength, 144% stress improvement at 100% strain, and only 3% increase in elongation at break compared to pure NR.