| abstract |
This invention relates to the preparation of nanocomposites comprised of annelastomer and a dispersion therein of an at least partially exfoliated,nintercalated, multilayered, water swellable clay (e.g. smectite clay). Theninvention further relates to rubber compositions comprised of suchnnanocomposites and tires and industrial products such as, for examplenconveyor belts, power transmission belts and hoses, which contain at least onencomponent comprised of said nanocomposite or said rubber composition. Anparticular adaptation for such rubber composition is contemplated for rubber tirencomponents, such as for example treads, where significant replacement ofncarbon black reinforcement may be desired to reduce heat buildup for tirendurability and reduction in tire weight for vehicular fuel economy such as, fornexample, aircraft tire treads. The nanocomposite is prepared by addition of anwater suspension of water swellable clay particles to an aqueous emulsion ofnanionic (negatively charged) elastomer particles to form a mixture thereof tonwhich an amine having at least two amine centers in a form of a cationicn(positively charged) polymeric quaternary amine or ethylene polyamine isnsubsequently added to both intercalate and at least partially exfoliate the waternswelled clay particles by an ion exchange within the galleries of the multilayerednclay with cation exchangeable ion(s) and to aid in promoting the elastomer andnresultant clay particles to coagulate and form a nanocomposite thereof. |