The Effect of Halloysite Nanotubes Prepared from Iraqi Kaolin Clay in Improving Rubber Properties

Abstract

Nanotube halloysite prepared from Iraqi kaolin clay and kaolinite, were used as a filler in the manufacture of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) in order to improve its properties. Halloysite and kaolinite ratios added to the SBR components ranged between 20 - 100 Phr. The physio-mechanical tests showed that SBR matrixes with the nano-halloysite filler was more effective than with the kaolinite clay alone as a filler. The increase in tensile strength and elongation of SBR using nano-halloysite filler was 89% and 91% compared to that using kaolinite alone which gave 83% and 87%. Results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) of nano-halloysite showed a regular distribution within the SBR, while it showed agglomerations and an irregular distribution of kaolinite within the SBR. These properties revealed weakness in the interfacial interaction between kaolinite and SBR. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of SBR sample filled with nano- halloysite of 40 Phr showed higher thermal stability than the SBR sample filled with 40 Phr kaolinite..