Elastomer Nanocomposites Based on Butadiene Rubber, Nanoclay and Epoxy-Polyester Hybrid: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

Nanocomposites based on butadiene rubber (BR), (0, 3, 5 and 7 phr) organoclay (Cloisite 15A) and (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 phr) powder coating wastes, i.e., epoxypolyester hybrid (EPH) were prepared using a laboratory-scale internal mixer in order to study the effect of organoclay and EPH content on the mechanical and morphological properties of the nanocomposite samples. Cure characteristics of the prepared compounds including optimum cure time (t90) and scorch time (t5) depicted a decrease in both mentioned factors with increasing nanoclay content and EPH loading.Intercalation of elastomer chains into the silicate layers was determined by d-spacing values calculated according to the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal the intercalation of elastomer chains into the clay galleries. This phenomenon was also confirmed according to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite samples which were observed to be improved with addition of nanoclay and EPH content.