Effect of EPDM-g-MAH as Compatibilizer on the Microstructure of NBR / SBR / Organoclay Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on (50/50) blends of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylo nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and organoclay (Cloisite 30B, 5phr) have been prepared successfully via melt-mixing process. Maleated EPDM (EPDM-g-MAH) was employed as compatibilizer in nanocomposite at compatibilizer /organoclay ratio of 1. Nanocomposites were characterized by means of X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and rheometrics mechanical spectrometer (RMS) analysis. XRD Patterns verified that the interlayer distance of compatibilized nanocomposite were increased. SEM images of compatibilized vulcanizate compared with uncompatibilized blend, shows more roughness in cryo-fractured surfaces which reveals brittle fracture behavior. Also, the compatibilized nanocomposite exhibits greater complex viscosity and storage modulus than uncompatibilized and neat blends within all of the frequency regions. Therefore, these results demonstrate that adding EPDM-g-MAH as compatibilizer to nanocomposite leading to higher extent of intercalation microstructure with intensified interaction between rubber phases and clay tactoids