Effect of epoxidized natural rubber–organoclay nanocomposites on NR/high styrene rubber blends with fillers

Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and organoclay nanocomposites (Cloisite 20A) were prepared by solution mixing in this study. The obtained nanocomposites were incorporated in natural rubber (NR) and high styrene rubber (HSR) blends in presence of ISAF and SRF types of carbon black as reinforcing fillers. Morphology, curing characteristics, mechanical and thermal properties and wear characteristics of the nanocomposites against standard abrader and different mining rock surfaces were analyzed. The morphology of the ENR/nanoclay showed a highly intercalated structure. The nanocomposites containing SRF N774 type of carbon black has showed increase in cross-link density, maximum torque and cure rate index compared to ISAF N231 type of carbon black. The overall mechanical properties and thermal stability was higher for the nanocomposites containing SRF type of carbon blacks. The compounds containing EC in NR–HSR have higher barrier properties compared to without EC. EC with SRF N774 carbon black has showed minimum compression set value due to the increased formation of effective network chains due to higher reinforcing efficiency of the nanoclay in the rubber matrix. EC with SRF N774 type of carbon black showed high abrasion resistance property against Du-Pont abrader, DIN abrader and rock–rubber experimental study and also it has been found to be the toughest rubber compound against all types of rock under the present study. Concrete has been identified as the major abrader against the blends than other rock types.