Title:Mechanical Properties and Molecular Transport Behavior of NR/Clay and
ENR/Clay Composites
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Author(s): Rakesh Reghunath, Aji P. Mathew and Soney C. George*
Affiliation:
- Department of Basic Sciences, Centre for Nanoscience and
Technology, Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirapally Kerala, India
Keywords:
Natural rubber, epoxidized, molecular transport, diffusion coefficient, matrix, clay composites.
Abstract:
Introduction: Natural rubber and epoxidized natural rubber composites reinforced with
clay have been synthesized in this study using two roll mixing mill.
Objective: The aim of the research work was to investigate the influence of clay on the overall performance
of NR and ENR based composites.
Methods: The effect of clay concentration on basic mechanical properties and molecular transport
phenomena of the elastomeric composites was analyzed. Tensile strength and tear strength variation
as a function of clay concentration were studied.
Results: It was found that as clay concentration increased up to 4 phr, tensile strength improved up
to 22.5 MPa and tear strength up to 32 MPa, beyond which it went down. It was also found that
corresponding to 4 phr clay concentrations, the crosslink density of the composite was at a maximum
of 1.45 gmol/cc.
Conclusion: As the clay contents are added into the elastomeric matrix system, initially there is a
decrease in the swelling coefficient, but later at higher loading, the swelling coefficient increases
due to the agglomeration of clay particles in the matrix.
