Preparation and characterization of fibrous sepiolite modified silane coupling agent/fluororubber nanocomposite

Fibrous sepiolite(Sep)/fluororubber (FKM) composite was prepared by co‐mixing and heat molding. Fibrous aggregation of acid sepiolite(aSep) was prepared by acid exfoliation of mineral sepiolite, and then organic sepiolite(oSep) was prepared by coupling agent modification of aSep. The crystal structure, chemical composition and morphology of different aggregations were mensurated using X‐ray diffraction, infrared spectrometer, and scanning electron microscope. The curing histories and mechanical properties of composites were analyzed for two kinds of fibrous sepiolites. The results indicated that apparent diameters of aSep and oSep were respectively 100–200 nm and 60–100 nm. The apparent crosslinking densities, curing velocities, and tensile strengths of FKM composites were increased by the addition of sepiolite, the curing velocities of oSep/FKM were lower than those of aSep/FKM, and the tensile strengths of oSep/FKM were upper than those of aSep/FKM. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E208–E213, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers