Reinforced Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) clay nanocomposites

Abstract

Nowadays, a rapid and tremendous growth has been seen in the interest of rubber nanocomposite. It has a great potential for novel applications because of the enhancement capability to the base polymer when mixed with small amount of fillers. This is due to the larger interfacial areas per volume that come in contact with the matrix of base polymer, which results in a greater matrix and filler interaction. Nanocomposites of a type of elastomers called Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) were prepared with reinforcement through nanoclays, and their mechanical properties were investigated. Different loadings of peroxide curing agents and nanoclays were added to HNBR in order to compare their enhancement properties. In addition, “commercial clay” (Montmorillonite Cloisite® 15A) and “treated clay” which is specially treated to promote a stronger interaction between the fillers and the polymer matrix were incorporated into the elastomers to compare their enhancement performance. Moreover, a new technique was also integrated to the experiment in order to promote better dispersion in the polymer matrix that makes a further improvement in mechanical properties. A better mechanical properties as compared to the pure HNBR of Young’s Modulus (increased by ~200%), Tensile Strength (increased by ~800%), and Elongation at Break (increased by ~200%) were observed in 5 wt.% of peroxide curing agents content and mixed with 10 wt.% of treated nanoclays, as compared to other contents variations. Overall, HNBR was successfully reinforced to improve the mechanical properties due to a stronger interaction between the nanoclays and the rubber matrix, and also better filler dispersions in the rubber matrix. In conclusion, this report provides a new way of improvement to reinforce HNBR so that it can be used for more applications that require excellent mechanical properties.