Flame retardance of montmorillonite/rubber composites

The effect of dispersion of clay in rubber on the mechanical properties and flame retardance of rubber/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites and rubber/MMT microcomposites were investigated in the present article, and the results were compared with the performance of silica reinforced rubber composites. Cone calorimeter test and limiting oxygen index test were employed to evaluate the flame retardance. From the results, it could be seen that the rubber/MMT nanocomposites always possessed the best flame retardance, such as lower peak heat release rate and higher fire performance index value. In addition, the rubber/MMT nanocomposites also showed better mechanical properties than the pure rubber and the other composites, especially in tear strength. With the rubber/silica composites, as expected, the silica could appropriately endow the rubber with flame retardance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008