Abstract: The water absorption rubber with interpenetrating networks and montmorillnite was prepared with emulsion polymerization. The sample was characterized via TEM, ESEM and SEM. Its water absorption performance and mechanical performance after water absorption were examined. The results indicate that the rubber phase and resin phase are excellent decentralized and interpenetrated in prepared water absorption rubber. There is no phase separation phenomenon in the surface of sample after water absorption. The peeled montmorillnite sheet layers are dispersed in materials and increase material strength. The water absorption process is slow, the absorption rate and time assume linear increase by degrees during water absorption prophase. Under the investigation condition, it cost 40 d to reach the water absorption balance. As the temperature increased, the absorption rate increased gently. The modulus of elasticity(G') is more than 40000 Pa, and the modulus of viscosity(G'')is about 1000 Pa when the absorption rate is 6.4. The strain of sample with 25.8 absorption rate is around 80% when the sample is crushed.

Key words: Water absorption rubber, Interpenetrating network, Absorption rate, Mechanical performance