Preparation of styrene-butadiene rubber/clay/carbon black nanocomposite by emulsion blending: Achieve performance adjustment and reduce dust pollution

Attapulgite and montmorillonite minerals were processed to achieve an aqueous dispersion. Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)/clay nanocomposites were prepared through emulsion blending, and vulcanized rubbers were prepared according to the standard test method for evaluating SBR. The clay was dispersed at the nanoscale within the rubber matrix, and the nanocomposite exhibited an enhanced thermal stability. Wetting the clay surface with paraffin oil improved the processability of the nanocomposites. Compared with rubber reinforced only with carbon black, substituting rubber with clay led to a 27 % increase in 100 % constant elongation stress, while also increasing the elongation from 424.5 % to 554.0 % when carbon black was partially replaced by clay. The mechanical properties can be adjusted by varying the ratios of rubber, clay, and carbon black. Based on this, in order to reduce subsequent mechanical mixing pollution and decrease the mixing time, carbon black was dispersed in water, and SBR/clay/carbon black nanocomposites were prepared using emulsion blending. Compared with the mechanical mixing, the SBR/clay/carbon black nanocomposites prepared using emulsion blending exhibited better mechanical properties, wet skid resistance, and lower rolling resistance. This approach allows the clay to reduce the amount of raw rubber and carbon black required in the final rubber products, thereby reducing petroleum consumption, lowering costs, reducing carbon emissions, and reducing pollution during the production process. This aligns with the principles of green chemistry and cleaner production and demonstrates its promising application value in the rubber industry.