Effect of Nanoclay and Short Nylon Fiber on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nanocomposites based on NR/SBR

Recently short fiber reinforced rubber has gained importance due to its advantages in design flexibility, anisotropy in technical properties, stiffness, damping and processingeconomy [1]. Compared to adhesive dipping for continuous fibers, the tri-component dry bonding system consisting ofresorcinol, hexamethylenetetramine, and fine particle hydrated silica (HRH) can be used to achieve adhesion between short fiber and the rubber matrix. As hydrated silica has small particles and higher surface area, it can be more effective in improving the wettability of the fibers [2]. This work is aboutthe effects of fiber loading and nanoclay (which is used as a component in place of silica and also as an additional filler) onthe microstructure and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites