Surface-compatibilized layered silicates - A novel class of nanofillers for rubbers with improved mechanical properties

Layered silicates were made compatible with SBR rubber matrix by (i) swelli ng a commercial organophilic clay of the Montmorillonite type in SBR soluti on and (ii) by cation exchange of a synthetic Fluorhectorite with protonate d amino-terminated polybutadiene(ATB). The effect of the surface-compatibil ized silicates relative to conventional silica filler was tested with SBR v ulcanizates in which silica was either completely or partially exchanged by layered silicate. TEM reveals the morphology of the rubber nanocomposites with finely dispersed intercalated aggregates or partially exfoliated layer s suggesting that reinforcement and hysteresis are related to the anisotrop ic nature of the aggregates and concomittant orientation during strain.