The present work investigated the properties of rubber vulcanizates containing different nanoparticles (Cloisite 20A and Cloisite Na+) and prepared using different sonication amplitudes. The results showed that a maximum improvement in tensile strength of more than 60% over the reference sample was obtained by the nanocomposites containing 2 wt.% Cloisite 20A and 1 wt.% Cloisite Na+ and mixed with a maximum amplitude of 270 µm. The modulus at 300% elongation increased by approximately 18% and 25% with the addition of 2 wt.% Cloisite 20A and 3 wt.% Cloisite Na+, respectively. The shape retention coefficient of rubber samples was not significantly affected by the mixing amplitude, while the values of the softness measured at the highest amplitude (270 µm) were higher compared to those of mixtures homogenized with lower amplitudes. The loading-unloading and loading-reloading processes showed similar trends for all tested nanocomposites. However, they increased with increasing levels of sample stretching but were not significantly affected by filler content at a given elongation. More energy was dissipated during the loading-unloading process than during the loading-reloading. SEM micrographs of rubber samples before and after cycling loading showed rough, stratified, and elongated morphologies. XRD results showed that elastomeric chains were intercalated in the MMT nanosheets, confirming the improvement of mechanical properties. The difference between the hydrophilic pristine nanoclay (Cloisite Na+) and organomodified MMT (Cloisite 20A) was also highlighted, while the peaks of the stretched rubber samples were smaller, regardless of the rubber composition, due most probably to the decrease of interlayer spacing.

The present work investigates the effect of modifying an epoxy resin using two different modifiers. The mechanical and thermal properties were evaluated as a function of modifier type and content. The structure and morphology were also analyzed and related to the measured properties. Polyurethane (PUR) was used as a liquid modifier, while Cloisite Na+ and Nanomer I.28E are solid nanoparticles. Impact strength (IS) of hybrid nanocomposites based on 3.5 wt% PUR and 2 wt% Cloisite or 3.5 wt% PUR and 1 wt% Nanomer was maximally increased by 55% and 30%, respectively, as compared to the virgin epoxy matrix, exceeding that of the two epoxy/nanoparticle binaries but not that of the epoxy/PUR binary. Furthermore, a maximum increase in IS of approximately 20% as compared to the pristine matrix was obtained with the hybrid epoxy nanocomposite containing 0.5 wt% Cloisite and 1 wt% Nanomer, including a synergistic effect, due most likely to specific interactions between the nanoparticles and the epoxy matrix. The addition of polyurethane and nanoclays increased the thermal stability of epoxy composites significantly. However, DSC results showed that the addition of flexible polyurethane chains decreased the glass transition temperatures, while the softening point and the service temperature range of epoxy nanocomposites containing nanofillers were increased. FTIR analysis confirmed the occurrence of interaction between the epoxy matrix and added modifiers. All SEM micrographs showed significant roughness of the fracture surfaces with the formation of elongated platelets, explaining the increase in mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix.