Reinforcement and migration of nanoclay in polychloroprene/ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer rubber blends
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 276-281 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Composites Science and Technology |
| Volume | 71 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Feb 2011 |
| Publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Abstract
This communication demonstrates, an approach of compatibilization between polychloroprene (CR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) by using nanoclay as a compatibilizer and, simultaneously, as a very strong reinforcing nano-filler. With the incorporation of less than 9. wt.% nanoclay, the dynamic storage modulus above the glass transition region of such a blend increases from ~2. MPa to ~54. MPa. This tremendous reinforcing as well as the compatibilization effect of the nanoclay was understood by thermodynamically driven preferential framework-like accumulation of exfoliated nanoclay platelets in the phase border of CR and EPDM, as observed i.e. from transmission electron microscopy. The extra-ordinary improvement of dynamic modulus can also be understood by a very strong filler-filler networking that we observed in strain sweep experiments. Moreover, we found that the compatibilized blends exhibit an extra dynamic-mechanical relaxation process at higher temperatures (~. Tg+. 130. K). The suggested method for compatibilization of incompatible rubber blends offers routes to the design of new rubber based technical products for diversified applications.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- A. Nanoclays, B. Interface, C. Elastic properties, D. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), E. Compatibility