Elastomeric nanocomposites: Quantifying the effects of modified montmorillonite clays on styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS)

This study was conducted to quantify the effects of modified montmorillonite clays on the tensile properties of styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene. The nanocomposites of styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene were prepared by melt compounding of the clays and the base resin in a corotating twin-screw extruder. Standard test specimens were injection molded from the blends. Tests conducted on each blend included the investigation of tensile properties (tensile strength and percent elongation), hardness and rheological behavior. Testing revealed that the tensile moduli and elongation at break increased while strength at break decreased with the addition of the clay. Rheological properties show that the storage moduli of the blends decreased with an increase in temperature.