Vulcanization, Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Carbon Black/Nanoclay Reinforced Natural Rubber Hybrid Composites

Abstract

In this present work the effect of reinforcement of hybrid fillers such as nanoclay and carbon black in natural rubber were studied. Sodium bentonite clay was organically modified with octadecyl amine using cation exchange reaction and characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM. The organomodified clay with 5 phr loading and also with carbon black (CB) of 25 phr loading were incorporated into natural rubber by using a two-roll mixing mill. Vulcanization, mechanical and dielectric properties were studied. Vulcanization and mechanical properties of natural rubber increases on addition of organomodified clay and also with combination of clay and carbon black compared to unmodified clay and gum compounds. Dielectric properties such dielectric constant, dielectric loss and volume resistivity were studied at room temperature and found improved results of the combination of modified clay/CB filled hybrid composites.