Studies on acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer (NBR) layered silicate composites: mechanical and viscoelastic properties

Nanocomposites were obtained from a masterbatch of acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer (NBR; nitrile rubber) and organomodified layered silicate (nanoclay) prepared in an internal mixer followed by mixing with neat NBR and other compounding ingredients on a two-roll mill. Addition of nanoclay reduced the cure time and the vulcanization kinetics closely fitted a first-order model. The morphology was investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The tensile strength, modulus (M-100), and storage modulus (E') increased up to 5-phr nanoclay content and thereafter showed a decline. The effect of temperature and frequency on E' and loss tangent was also investigated.