Study the Effect of Epoxide Natural Rubber on Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber / Organoclay Nanocomposite Systems

Polymer / layered silicate nanocomposites exhibit increased modulus and strength, improved heat resistance, outstanding gas barrier properties and decreased flammability relative to the polymer matrices [1]. Although clay nanocomposites have been prepared based on many thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, rubber nanocomposites constitute only a minor proportion [2].Compatibility of natural rubber (NR) with organoclay is poor due to the polarity of organoclay and lack of polar groups in NR backbone. Epoxidized NR (ENR) obtained by epoxidation of 1,4-polyisoprene, which has polar groups in its backbone, could increase the polarity of the system and overcomes the disadvantages. It causes better dispersion of organoclay in NR matrix, also provides superior mechanical properties in nanocomposite systems. In this work 25 phr of two types of epoxidized natural rubber were used as compatibilizer in the system and the effect of ENR on morphology and mechanical properties of NR/ENR/organoclay ternary nanocomposite systems was investigated