Special Rubber / Ommt Nanocomposites

The bromobutyl rubber/organophilic montmorillonite (BIIR/OMMT) and chloroprene rubber/organophilic montmorillonite (CR/OMMT) nanocomposites were successfully prepared by mechanical blending, and the OMMT was made by our own laboratory. The impact of kinds and contents of the OMMT were mainly investigated on the properties, such as mechanical properties, anti-aging properties, solvent resistance and the thermal stability. Finally the prospects for the use of OMMT in the industry recipe were analyzed and a solid foundation for future in industry applications was demonstrated. The main contents are as follows:The BIIR/OMMT composites were prepared by mechanical blending. The optimal type of OMMT was carefully selected from different kinds of OMMT, using characterization by the mechanical properties, anti-aging properties, solvent resistance and the thermal stability of composites. For reinforcement effect, the best type of OMMT was determined, which laid the foundation for further study.The exfoliated morphologies of the optimal OMMT dispersed in BUR matrix were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction XRD. Then a series of BIIR/OMMT (the optimal organoclay) nanocomposites with various amounts of OMMT were prepared and characterized. The results showed the tensile strength and tear strength of nanocomposite with only 3 parts per hundreds of rubber (phr) of clay were improved by about 90.8% and 81.4% in comparison with the pure BIIR, respectively. The increase of the cure rate index (VC) and reduction of the optimum time (T90) indicated the efficiency of vulcanization was improved, which achieved the objective of reduction of the energy consumption. Moreover, the addition of OMMT also improved the oil resistance and the thermal stability of the BIIR/OMMT nanocomposite significantly.CR/OMMT nanocomposites were researched with the same ideas and methods. The best kinds and contents of the OMMT were optimized. A series of the nanocomposites with various amounts of OMMT were prepared and characterized. The characteristics of the nanocomposites were improved significantly. The great application value will be given for CR, if the potential of the OMMT was given full play.The mechanical properties and abrasion resistance of the composites were excellent when they were filled with co-reinforcement as used in the industry recipe. For manufacturing, the cost of production is reduced to a certain extent. The outstanding performance of these materials with OMMT reinforcement means that they are good prospects for CR in industry application.