Mechanical Properties development of Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber/Organoclay Nanocomposites by Hydrogen Bonds Intercalation Method

The nanocomposites of nitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) and organo-montmorillonite modified by methyltallow- bis(2-hydroxyethyl) quaternary ammonium salt (Cloisite 30B) were prepared by the hydrogen bonds intercalation method in the presence of the resorcinol and hexamethylenetetramine complex (RH). The structure of the NBR–RH–Cloisite 30B nanocomposites was characterized by XRD, determination of crosslinking density, and mechanical properties. The results showed that the d-spacing of organoclay increased substantially with RH addition and the layers of organoclay were dispersed in rubber matrix on a nanometer scale. The mechanical properties, resilience and cure characteristics of the NBR–RH–Cloisite 30B nanocomposites were far superior to those of NBR– Cloisite 30B nanocomposites. The hydrogen bonds intercalation method by introducing RH could enhance the interface combination between the rubber and the organoclay through the interactions of RH with NBR and Cloisite 30B specially at large deformations.