Effect of layered silicates on rheological and mechanical properties and thermal stability of high-molar mass polydimethylsiloxane matrix

The effect of surface modified fillers based on montmorillonite on rheological and mechanical properties and thermal stability of high-molar mass polydimethylsiloxane matrix was evaluated. Silicone rubber/clay composites were prepared via homogenisation on open two roll-mill followed by torque measurement at two different temperatures. At 30 degrees C and 100 degrees C the torque did not extremely differ excepting the mixtures containing Cloisite 15A where it achieved the maximum at 3 phr montmorillonite content, but the tensile strength reached the similar values in all mixtures. Thermogravimetric analysis was utilized to find out the differences in weight decay of composites in silicone rubber/montmorillonite mixtures and in unfilled silicone rubber. Synergism of fillers was also studied and led to tensile strength increase.