Preparation and Properties of Organically Modified Montmorillonite/Nitrile Rubber Nanocomposites

Abstract A series of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT)/nitrile rubber (NBR) nanocomposites were prepared by a simple mechanical-mixing method. The structures of OMMT and the dispersion of OMMT in the rubber matrix were detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of the NBR/OMMT nanocomposites were characterized, and the tribological behaviors of the nanocomposites were evaluated on a ring-block (MRH-3) wear tester. The results showed that the OMMT was homogeneously dispersed in the NBR matrix. The tensile strength of the OMMT/NBR nanocomposites increased with increasing OMMT contents. Both the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear of the nanocomposites decreased remarkably with increasing OMMT content. In addition, the influence of the applied load on the tribological properties of the nanocomposites is discussed. It is expected that the research may be of aid in the rational design and use of solid, self-lubricating nanocomposites under different loading states. Keywords: mechanical propertiesnanocompositesNBROMMTwear Acknowledgments The authors would like to acknowledge the financial supports from the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China (grant no. 51025517), the 973 Project of China (2007CB607606), and the National Defense Basic Scientific Research Project (A1320110011).