PHYSICO-MECHANICAL AND DYNAMIC MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF META-PENTADECENYL PHENOL FUNCTIONALIZED ACRYLONITRILE–BUTADIENE RUBBER NANOCLAY COMPOSITES

Abstract

ABSTRACT The physico-mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of meta-pentadecenyl phenol (cardanol) functionalized acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (CGNBR) composites containing sodium montmorillonite clay were determined via studies on the functionalization of NBR by grafting cardanol onto its backbone main chain in the latex stage using benzoyl peroxide as a free radical initiator. Results show an improvement in technical properties for functionalized NBR nanocomposites over the NBR nanocomposite. Air and ASTM 3 oil aging studies at 100 °C confirmed an increase in tensile strength and a decrease in elongation at break for CGNBR compared to the dioctyl phthalate plasticized NBR nanocomposite. Fire and flame retardancy studies showed an increased limiting oxygen index for functionalized NBR over the NBR nanoclay composite. Results delineate the method of preparation and characterization of functionalized NBR and oil plasticized NBR nanoclay composites to achieve an improved oil resistance effect for functionalized NBR over NBR nanocomposite.