Preparation and properties of styrene butadiene rubber/natural rubber/organo-bentonite nanocomposites prepared from latex dispersions

Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)/natural rubber (NR)/organo-bentonite nanocomposites were prepared from emulsions. The structure of the nanocomposites was characterized by TEM and XRD. The effect of organo-bentonite on the mechanical properties, thermal stability and swelling behavior was investigated. TEM and XRD confirmed that rubber chains were intercalated into the organo-montmorillonite particles. When the organo-bentonite content was lower than 12 mass%, the nanocomposites showed excellent mechanical properties. The addition of a small amount of OMMT greatly improved thermal stability and swelling behavior, which was attributed to the good barrier properties of the dispersed and partially exfoliated organo-montmorillonite particles. Organo-bentonite addition had little effect on the score and cure times of the nanocomposites, while increased the maximum and minimum torque.