Investigation on the Rheological and Viscoelastic Properties of Micro and Nano Silica/ Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Composites

The greatest part of the studies which have been carried out on rubber/clay nano composites is based on latex or solution blending method and there is very few study reports on melt mixed rubber/clay nanocomposites which are very promising in rubber industry. The rhelogical properties of melt mixed rubber nanocomposite are not investigated by researchers comprehensively. In this research styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)/nanoclay (montmorollinate) composites and kaolin, as micro silica, filled SBR are prepared using melt mixing method. Rheological and viscoelastic properties of nanoclay and kaolin filled SBR compounds are investigated and compared together using rubber processing analyzer (RPA). The viscosity and nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of SBR compound decreases by incorporation of nanoclay instead of a common filler such as kaolin. This unique rheological behavior in nanocomposites prepared by melt mixing method is not reported in the literature.

Keywords:

SBR , nanoclay , rheology , viscoelastic properties , kaolin