• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2014

The effect of nanoclay (Cloisite 20A) on the self-adhesion behavior of uncured brominated-isobutylene-isoprene rubber (BIIR) has been studied. The dispersion state of nanoclay into the rubber matrix was examined by SEM, TEM and XRD analysis. The thermal degradation behavior of the filled and unfilled samples was examined by TGA and improvement in the thermal stability of the nanocomposites occurred based on the weight loss (%) measurements. Also, addition of nanoclay enhanced the cohesive strength of the material by reinforcement action thereby reducing the degree of molecular diffusion across the interface of butyl rubber. However, the average depth of penetration of the inter-diffused chains was still adequate to form entanglement on either side of the interface, and thus offered greater resistance to peeling, resulting in high tack strength measurements. The improvement in tack strength was only achieved at critical nanoclay loading above 8 phr. Contact angle measurement was also made to examine the surface characteristics. There was no significant interfacial property change by employing the nanoclay.