The ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)/nanoclay (NC) nanocomposites were prepared with various nanoclay contents loading and different crosslinking systems by using an open mill mixer. Sulfur, dicumyl peroxide and the mixed system were used as crosslinking systems for the nanocomposites. The effects of nanoclay loading and crosslinking systems on the swelling behavior, compression set behavior, abrasion resistance, hardness, rebound resilience and water uptake of EPDM/SBR blends were investigated. Mole percent uptake of aromatic, aliphatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons through the nanocomposites was investigated at 23 °C. The peroxide cured nanocomposites have exhibited the lowest solvent uptake in all the penetrant as well as the lowest uptake exhibited by aliphatic hydrocarbons. An increase in nanoclay loading resulted in reduction in water uptake and rebound resilience as well as increases in compression set, hardness, and abrasion resistance in all the crosslinking systems.

Keywords: EPDM/SBR blends; nanoclay loading; crosslinking systems; nanocomposites