Effect of epoxidized natural rubber on the properties of rectorite/carbon black/natural rubber nanocomposites

Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was introduced into rectorite (REC)/carbon black/natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites by two ways: (1) the direct incorporation of ENR and (b) the incorporation of a spray-dried REC/ENR compound. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the REC layers presented a nanodispersion structure in the REC/ENR compound. The vulcanization characteristics indicated that ENR increased the crosslinking density of the composites. The stronger reaction between the REC layers and ENR was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the spray-dried REC/ENR compound blended with NR versus that in the REC/NR master batch blended with ENR. As a result, the physical properties, such as the mechanical properties, cutting and chipping resistance, and abrasion resistance, of the composites were greatly increased by the addition of the REC/ENR compound.