| The aim of the thesis is to prepare fluoroelastomer/clay nanocomposites by melt-mixing and investigate the effect of nano-dispersion on composite properties. Using theological and morphological analyses, it was found that intercalated FKM nanocomposites can he obtained by using di(hydrogenated tallow-alkyl) dimethyl ammonium modified organoclays. However, the presence of excess amount of modifier did not improve the composite morphology but rather resulted in plasticization of the elastomer matrix.;The vulcanization conditions were shown to be detrimental to the nanocomposite morphology resulting in considerable decrease of d-spacing. Still, the mechanical properties of organofilled composites were superior to that of the carbon black or unmodified clay filled counterparts. This was attributed to efficient energy release mechanism in the presence of intercalated clays. However, the addition of carbon black to the nanocomposites led to a decrease in mechanical properties. The Payne effect was clearly seen in the nanocomposites evidenced using dynamic mechanical analysis. |
