Structure-property relationship of specialty elastomer-clay nanocomposites

The present work deals with the synthesis of specialty elastomer [fluoroelastomer and poly (styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene (SEBS)]-clay nanocomposites and their structure-property relationship as elucidated from morphology studies by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction and physico-mechanical properties. Due to polarity match, hydrophilic unmodified montmorillonite clay showed enhanced properties in resulting fluoroelastomer nanocomposites, while hydrophobic organo-clay showed best results in SEBS nanocomposites.