Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (EPDM/NBR)-modified halloysite nanotubes (mHNTs) nanocomposites were prepared by two-roll mixing mill and vulcanization process. The mole percent uptake of some aromatic (toluene, xylene, benzene and mesitylene), aliphatic (n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane and n-pentane) and chlorinated (chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and dichloromethane) solvents through mHNT filled EPDM/NBR nanocomposites has been investigated. The aim of the present work is to investigate the role of the cure characteristics, mechanical properties, abrasion resistance and swelling resistance in analysing the compatibility between rubber matrix and nanotubes and the reinforcing effect of mHNT as nanofiller in the EPDM/NBR matrix. The mole percent uptake of organic solvents via membranes has been explored in detail as a function of mHNT content, type of solvent, and temperature between 23 and 60 ^oCelsius. The findings revealed that mHNT could reduce scorch and optimum cure time in EPDM/NBR vulcanizates, as well as play a significant role in strengthening EPDM/NBR vulcanizates. Mechanical properties and swelling resistance were investigated and were found to increase with the increase of mHNT loading. The cross-link density values indicated the improved strengthening at 8 phr mHNT filler loading. In the rubber matrix, mHNT particles form a local filler–filler network at high concentrations. As a result, the composites' mechanical properties were greatly improved.

Keywords: ethylene-propylene-diene monomer/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, modified halloysite nanotube, mechanical properties, swelling properties.