Effect of modified clay and Mg(OH)2 on the properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer/silicon rubber nanocomposites

Abstract

Ethylene propylene diene monomer and silicon rubber were blended in different ratios, and the physico-mechanical properties and the cure characteristics were studied. It was found that the ratio 60/40 phr (parts per hundred parts of rubber) of ethylene propylene diene monomer/silicon rubber exhibited the best value. Therefore, this ratio was loaded with the required concentration of each, unmodified clay and the two modified clays (one modified with distilled water and the other with anionic surfactant), to prepare rubber nanocomposites. The modified clays were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The properties of nanocomposites were investigated in terms of the cure characteristics, scanning electron microscopy, flammability and mechanical and thermal properties. It was noted that nanocomposites loaded with modified clays resulted in the highest cure and mechanical properties. The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed the exfoliation of the nanoclay layers with uniform dispersion and good interaction between the nanoclay particles and rubber matrix. The thermal stability and flammability of nanocomposites were improved by the addition of different concentrations of Mg(OH)2.