Curing and barrier properties of NBR/organo-clay nanocomposite

Organo-montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites were prepared by a melt intercalation process. The characteristics of NBR nanocomposites were characterized by oscillating-disk rheometer, water-vapour transmission and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Changes in cure characteristics resulting from changes in clay content and the addition of silane coupling agent were investigated. The study confirmed that organo-montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites cure characteristics, viz minimum torque, maximum torque, scorch time and curing time, change according to the change in clay content and the addition of silane coupling agent. Of the water-vapour transport properties, the clay content and silane content are the dominating factors in determining the individual water-vapour permeability of these NBR nanocomposites. TEM analysis provided clear evidence for the homogeneous dispersion of clay in the NBR matrix without regard to increases in clay content. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry