Investigation of Nanoclay Content on Mechanical Properties of Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Nanocomposites

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Abstract
This study explores the influence of nanoclay reinforcement on the mechanical behavior of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) nanocomposites through experimental and numerical analyses. HNBR samples were reinforced with 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt% of organically modified montmorillonite nanoclay and tested according to ASTM D412‐16 and ASTM D624‐21 standards. Results showed that the addition of 5 wt% nanoclay enhanced the elastic modulus by 4.88% compared to the neat sample, while higher loadings led to a decrease due to agglomeration effects. The maximum elongation in tear tests was observed for the 10 wt% sample (21% higher than the baseline), although tensile elongation consistently declined with increasing nanoclay content. Tear strength and modulus also deteriorated beyond 5 wt% nanoclay. Finite element simulations using the Marlow model in Abaqus demonstrated excellent agreement with experimental data, confirming the validity of the hyperelastic material model and mesh selection (C3D8H elements, mesh size: 1.4 mm). These findings highlight the importance of optimizing filler content and dispersion quality to balance stiffness, strength, and flexibility in high‐performance rubber composites for demanding applications.

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