Water uptake and mechanical properties of natural rubber–styrene butadine rubber (nr-sr) – Nanoclay composites

This paper discusses the improvement of water uptake property of NR-SBR type rubbers that are nanoclays filled. 1 wt.% to 3 wt.% nanoclays were filled in NR-SBR base rubber and the water uptake properties were examined. Results show that the nanoclay serves as viable filler in rubber polymer to protect them from high moisture absorption. The tensile, wear and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) properties were examined in these samples before and after placing them in a water medium. The results indicate that these properties were less affected in the nanoclay filled rubber than the base rubber.