Thermoset rubber/layered silicate nanocomposites. Status and future trends

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 1083 - 1093
• Main Authors: Karger-Kocsis, J., Wu, C.-M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc 01.06.2004; Wiley Subscription Services; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical compounds; Chemical engineering; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Materials science; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymeric composites; Polymers; Rubber; Technology of polymers; Thermal properties; Structure processing relationship; Clay; Vulcanizate; Elastomer; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Nanocomposite; Review; Manufacturing; Property processing relationship; Composite material
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.20101

This paper surveys the recent achievements with thermoset rubber/layered silicate nanocomposites considering their production methods, cure characteristics, structure and basic properties (mechanical, thermal and barrier). It was shown that the properties of the “nanoreinforced” rubbers strongly depend on the dispersion state of the silicate. The latter can be influenced by various methods related to the production route (latex, solution or melt compounding), silicate type (natural and artificial origin mostly affecting the aspect ratio), surface modification of the silicate (chemical buildup of the surfactant used for “organophilization”), recipe (curatives, activators, compatibilizers, etc.) and compounding parameters (temperature, time, shear rate, etc.). A peculiar skeleton‐type reinforcing structure can be produced by latex compounding. Solution and melt intercalation techniques usually result in nanocomposites containing silicate layers in both intercalated and exfoliated forms. To detect the related structure the combined use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques is inevitable. Confinement and deintercalation of the organophilic layered silicates occurring during compounding can be circumvented by the proper selection of the surfactants. Based on the present praxis some tendencies for future R&D activities with rubber nanocomposites were deduced and a strong impetus was forecasted to them owing to the fast development with thermoplastic/layered silicate systems. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1083–1093, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.