Preparation and properties of natural rubber/ organic vermiculite nanocomposites

The vermiculite was intercalated quickly with hexadecylt rimethylammonium bromide through milling.The natural rubber and the organic vermiculite nanocomposites were prepared , af ter mixing in a HA KKE mixer.The microst ructures and properties of nanocomposities were characterized by means of XRD , SEM , DMA and DSC.The silicate layer was exfoliated in the NR mat rix af ter curing of the nanocomposites. The mechanical test s show theperformances of nanocomposites , such as tensile st rength , elongation at break , st ress at 300 % elongation , tearst rength and hardness (Shore A) are improved prominently. The nanocomposite with 15wt % organic vermiculitehas higher modulus , and it s glass2t ransition temperature is unchanged.