Morphology/behaviour relationship of nanocomposites based on natural rubber/epoxidized natural rubber blends

In order to analyze the effect of an epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and filler treatment on the morphology and behavior of natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites, blends of these polymers have been prepared. The nature and extent of the clay dispersions in the filled samples were evaluated by X-ray diffraction. In the presence of ENR, an exfoliated structure was obtained which suggests that enough rubbery polymer was incorporated into the interlayer spacing. The effect of clay in rubber compounds was analyzed through theological, mechanical and swelling characterization. A sensible improvement in the nanocomposite properties was observed by the addition of organoclay. It has been deduced that the properties of the compounds strongly depend on the extent of the silicate nanolayers dispersion into the rubber matrices as well as on the organoclay type and elastomer compatibility. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.