Br-Butyl Rubber (Br-IIR) and Montmorillonite (MMT) Clay Nano Composites for Improved Barrier Properties

Controlling gas permeation is continuing challenge, posing multiple issues from pressure loss in tires to degradation of food. Br-IIR has good gas impermeability compared to other elastomers and has application in tires or other applications where air pressure retention or gas impermeability is a priority. The gas impermeability properties could be further improved by the addition of modified nano-clays (MMT modified with quaternary ammonium salt).  This work investigates the effect of clay loadings on the air permeation of Br-IIR and nanoclay composites.  Other properties such as dynamic mechanical, rheological and swelling ratio were also studied and compared to a compound without nanoclay.