In this article preparation of natural rubber (NR) based nanocomposite
is investigated. NR nanocomposites containing two different
nanoparticles including organoclay (OC) and nano-calcium carbonate
(nano-CaCO3), are prepared successfully with a melt-compounding
method without using a compatibilizer in spite of hydrophobic nature
of the NR. Measuring the curing characteristics reveals that incorporation
of 5 phr OC in the NR matrix causes reduction of the scorch and
cure times and increases the shear modulus. Slightly variation in these
parameters is also observed by adding nano-CaCO3.
FE-SEM and XRD results in agreement with the calculated thermodynamic
parameters, depicts that the presence nano-CaCO3 causes a
good dispersion and intercalation of nano-silicate layers in the OC/
nano-CaCO3/NR nanocomposite. Therefore a significant improvement
(346%) of tensile strength of the NR in nanocomposites reinforced by
Fig. 7. Tanδ vs temperature curves for the NR and their nanocomposites. the OC and nano-CaCO3 is obtained which is significantly higher tha