Study on the Modification of Nitrile‐Butadiene Rubber by Halloysite Nanotube‐Oleylamine Graft and Its Low‐Temperature Resistance Performance

ABSTRACT This study pioneers the grafting of oleylamine onto halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) to synthesize a low‐temperature composite modifying agent for rubber (HNTs‐Y). It enables the synergistic regulation of the low‐temperature performance of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) via a “plasticization‐reinforcement” mechanism, addressing both the migration propensity of conventional small‐molecule plasticizers and the insufficient low‐temperature modification efficacy of pristine HNTs. This work thereby provides a novel multifunctional modification strategy for optimizing the low‐temperature performance of elastomers. Experimental results demonstrate that HNTs‐Y significantly enhances the low‐temperature resistance of NBR. Specifically, at a loading of 6 phr, the hardness difference of 4 # NBR between −40°C and 40°C is reduced by 45.2% compared to 1 # NBR, indicating improved hardness stability over a broad temperature range. Additionally, the tensile strength of 4 # NBR at −20°C is 79% higher than that at 20°C and 77% higher than that of 1 # NBR, reflecting enhanced resistance to tensile fracture under low‐temperature conditions. Furthermore, with the increase in HNTs‐Y content, the brittle temperature ( T b ) and glass transition temperature ( T g ) of NBR exhibit an overall downward trend. For 4 # NBR, the T b reaches −52°C and the T g is −29.5°C, manifesting excellent low‐temperature resistance.