Cut growth resistance and fracture resistance of clay/carbon black/natural rubber nanocomposites

Various precut methods were employed to study the cut growth resistance and fracture resistance under static and dynamic conditions of clay/carbon black/natural rubber nano-composites. The results showed that the addition of clay could effectively blunt the crack in the vicinity of the original cut tip and hinder the crack from growing, therefore improved the fracture resistance of natural rubber. Cut and chip tester was used to study the cut and chip resistance and the result showed that cut and chip resistance could be improved with the addition of clay. Adding of clay could improve the abrasion resistance and the flex fatigue life of the composites.