Studies on Novel Dual Filler Based Epoxidized Natural Rubber Nanocomposite

Carbon black (N-330), organically modified nanoclay (NC) based ternary, particulate nanocomposites comprising of epoxidized natural rubber matrix having 25 mol% of epoxy group (ENR-25) were prepared in an open two-roll mill. Investigations of cure characteristics, dynamic mechanical, tensile, thermal, and morphological characteristics were conducted using Rheometric analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), mechanical property evaluation, Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), respectively, to derive the interrelation among the developed nanostructures inside the composite, crosslinking density, performance properties obtained there from. A satisfactory level of correlation was obtained among various results, which indicated the formation of nanounit comprising of N-330 and NC inside ENR-25 matrix. To optimize the nanostructures, ENR based compounds containing various combinations of NC and N-330 was prepared. Thorough and systematic structure-property analyses were performed on those composites. Optimum stoichiometric combination of N-330 and NC inside the ENR-25 matrix was derived (ratio of N-330 and nanoclay in wt% = 20:15), which showed synergistic effect of one filler upon another that was ultimately reflected in their dynamic mechanical and tensile properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:835-846, 2010. (C) 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers