• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.260-268
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• 2009

Modification of clay surface was attempted by treating the clay with bis[(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetra sulfide (TSS) to raise the hydrophobicity and to induce a chemical reaction between the clay and the high temperature vulcanization-type silicone rubber matrix with purpose of improving the compatibility between the components, and thereby Na-$MMTS_4$ and Fe-$MMTS_4$ were synthesized by treating Na-MMT and Fe-MMT with TSS, respectively. Silicone rubber/clay composites were prepared by compounding the clays with silicone rubber. Thermal stability and mechanical properties were evaluated as a function of the clay types and the surface modification.