Rubber/Nanoclay Composites: Towards Advanced Functional Materials

Abstract

In the recent years, nanoclay composites have drawn the attention of the researchers as well as manufacturers greatly because of their excellent capacity to withstand thermal and mechanical stress without significant compromise of impact and/or clarity. This chapter presents the preparation of nanoclay composites, characterization techniques, and the properties of the developed composites such as mechanical and thermal characteristics along with the recent applications of these nanocomposites. The rubber nanocomposite (RNC) and clay polymer nanocomposite (CPNC) have found their niche commercially in the tyre and sports industries providing reduced weight and energy dissipation, and enhanced air retention to the applied product.