Microstructure and Physical Properties of Acrylic Rubbers Filled with Montmorillonite in the Emulsion Polymerization Process

Montmorillonites (MMT) treated with various organic amines were added to the acrylic rubber in the polymerization process. Effects of the kind of organic amines, the contents of added MMT, and the method of the addition of MMT to the acrylic rubber on the dispersion state of MMT in the matrix and on the mechanical property of the obtained rubber were studied. As a result, the remarkable improvement of the mechanical property was achieved when 5 wt% of MMT organically treated with the laurylamine was added, although the deterioration of the mechanical property was observed at higher MMT contents. On the other hand, the mechanical property of the sample, to which MMT was added in the solution state, was improved gradually with the MMT content without showing a significant deterioration. Although the addition of organically treated MMT having a hydrophobic surface was added in the aqueous emulsion polymerization system, an excellent dispersion state was achieved when 5 wt% of MMT treated with laurylamine was added. Moreover, comparing with the friction property, the heat resistance, and the water resistance of the acrylic rubber added with MMT to those of the acrylic rubber added with the white carbon, it was proved that the addition of MMT significantly improve various physical and practical properties of the acrylic rubber.