Thermoplastic elastomers-based natural rubber and thermoplastic polyurethane blends

Thermoplastic elastomers based on the blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and natural rubber were prepared by a simple blend technique. The influence of the two different types of natural rubber (i.e., unmodified natural rubber (NR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)) on properties of the blends was investigated. The main aim of this study was to improve heat resistance and damping properties, and also to prepare the TPU material with low hardness by blending with various amounts of natural rubber. It was found that the TPU/ENR blends exhibited superior modulus, hardness, shear viscosity, stress relaxation behavior and heat-resistant properties compared to the blends with TPU and unmodified NR. This was attributed to higher chemical interaction between the polar functional groups of ENR and TPU by improving the interfacial adhesion. It was also found that the ENR/TPU blends exhibited finer grain morphology than the blends with unmodified NR. Furthermore, lower tension set, damping factor (Tan ??) and hardness, but higher degradation temperature, were observed in natural rubber/TPU blends compared to pure TPU. This proves the formation of TPU material with high heat resistance, low hardness and better damping properties. However, the blends with higher proportion of natural rubber exhibited lower tensile strength and elongation at break.     

Thermoplastic natural rubber based on polyamide‐12: Influence of blending technique and type of rubber on temperature scanning stress relaxation and other related properties

Thermoplastic natural rubber based on polyamide‐12 (PA‐12) blend was prepared by melt blending technique. Influence of blending techniques (i.e., simple blend and dynamic vulcanization) and types of natural rubber (i.e., unmodified natural rubber (NR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)) on properties of the blends were investigated. It was found that the simple blends with the proportion of rubber ～ 60 wt % exhibited cocontinuous phase structure while the dynamically cured blends showed dispersed morphology. Furthermore, the blend of ENR exhibited superior mechanical properties, stress relaxation behavior, and fine grain morphology than those of the blend of the unmodified NR. This is attributed to chemical interaction between oxirane groups in ENR molecules and polar functional groups in PA‐12 molecules which caused higher interfacial adhesion. It was also found that the dynamic vulcanization caused enhancement of strength and hardness properties. Temperature scanning stress relaxation measurement revealed improvement of stress relaxation properties and thermal resistance of the dynamically cured ENR/PA‐12 blend. This is attributed to synergistic effects of dynamic vulcanization of ENR and chemical reaction of the ENR and PA‐12 molecules. Furthermore, the dynamically cured ENR/PA‐12 blend exhibited smaller rubber particles dispersed in the PA‐12 matrix. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Novel thermoplastic natural rubber based on thermoplastic polyurethane blends: influence of modified natural rubbers on properties of the blends

Three different forms of natural rubber: maleated natural rubber (MNR), epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and natural rubber-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate) (NR-g-PMMA) were prepared. Degree of functional groups in rubber molecules was quantified using the integrated peak areas of ¹H NMR. It was found that the modified rubbers with similar level of functionality had been successfully prepared. Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) based on blending of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and various forms of rubber were then prepared using melt blending method. The properties of the blends were studied and compared together in relation to different types of natural rubbers prepared (i.e., unmodified NR, MNR, ENR and NR-g-PMMA). It was found that the blends with modified NR exhibited superior stiffness, entropy effect and damping factor compared to other blends with unmodified NR. This is attributed to the chemical interaction between the functional groups of modified NR molecules and polar functional groups in TPU molecules which facilitated higher interfacial adhesion between both phases. The chemical interaction was verified by ATR-FTIR and TSSR techniques. It was also found that the MNR/TPU blend showed the highest tensile modulus, mechanical and elastic properties with smallest and finer grain dispersion of co-continuous phase compared to ENR/TPU, NR-g-PMMA/TPU and unmodified NR/TPU blends, respectively. This might be due to higher chemical interactions between MNR and TPU phases. Furthermore, the incorporation of rubber did reduce hardness (i.e., <60 Shore A) with improvement of elasticity of the blends compared with the original TPU (i.e., ~85 Shore A).     

Nanoclay distribution and its influence on the mechanical properties of rubber blends

The distribution of modified and unmodified nanoclays inside the rubber phases of immiscible rubber–rubber blends composed of nonpolar–polar natural rubber (NR)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and nonpolar–nonpolar NR/polybutadiene rubber (BR) was investigated for the first time. The distribution of clays at various loadings in the blends was calculated from the viscoelastic properties of the blends. For example, in the 50 : 50 NR/ENR blend, 42% Cloisite 30B migrated to the NR phase, and 58% went to the ENR phase. However, in the same blend, only 7% Cloisite Na⁺ was found in the NR phase, and 93% was found in the ENR phase. Again, in the 50 : 50 NR/BR blends, the NR phase contained 85% Cloisite 30B, whereas 55% Cloisite Na⁺ migrated to the NR phase. All these observations were explained with the help of viscosity, X‐ray diffraction, and morphology analyses. The effect of the distribution of the clay on the mechanical properties was also discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

High‐performance bio‐based poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber/epoxidized natural rubber blends: effect of epoxidized natural rubber on microstructure,toughness and static and dynamic mechanical properties

Attempts have been made to prepare high‐performance bio‐based blends through blending of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with natural rubber (NR) in the presence of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) as a compatibilizer. The prepared samples were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, measuring the tensile properties and impact resistance, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMTA). Morphological studies revealed a matrix‐dispersed morphology for all blends, in which the average droplet size significantly decreased with the use of ENR. The elongation at break and impact strength of the blend containing 3 wt% ENR were 45 and 16 times those of neat PLA, respectively. These values are significantly higher than those previously reported for various simple and dynamically vulcanized rubber‐toughened PLAs. The influence of ENR on compatibility was confirmed by rheological tests, FTIR spectra and DMTA. DMTA also showed a marked increase in elastic modulus for the blend in the presence of 3 wt% ENR. The tensile properties and impact resistance were directly dependent on the ENR content and rubber droplet size. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of surface modification of silicon carbide nanoparticles on the properties of nanocomposites based on epoxidized natural rubber/natural rubber blends

Improvement of the properties of rubber nanocomposites is a challenge for the rubber industry because of the need for higher performance materials. Addition of a nanometer‐sized filler such as silicon carbide (SiC) to enhance the mechanical properties of rubber nanocomposites has rarely been attempted. The main problem associated with using SiC nanoparticles as a reinforcing natural rubber (NR) filler compound is poor dispersion of SiC in the NR matrix because of their incompatibility. To solve this problem, rubber nanocomposites were prepared with SiC that had undergone surface modification with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and used as a filler in blends of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and natural rubber. The effect of surface modification and ENR content on the curing characteristics, dynamic mechanical properties, morphology and heat buildup of the blends were investigated. The results showed that modification of SiC with AIBN resulted in successful bonding to the surface of SiC. It was found that modified SiC nanoparticles were well dispersed in the ENR/NR matrix, leading to good filler‐rubber interaction and improved compatibility between the rubber and filler in comparison with unmodified SiC. The mechanical properties and heat buildup when modified SiC was used as filled in ENR/NR blends were improved. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45289.     

Mechanical,thermal, morphological,and curing properties of geopolymer filled natural rubber composites

The main objective of this work was to investigate influence of natural rubber (NR) types on mechanical, thermal, morphological, and curing properties together with relaxation behavior of geopolymer filled NR composites with and without bis(triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT) silane coupling agent. Three alternative types of NR: unmodified NR, and epoxidized NR with 25 (ENR-25) or 50 mol % epoxide (ENR-50) were exploited. Rubber compounds filled with GP particles were prepared in an internal mixer at 60 °C and 130–150 °C for the ones with and without TESPT, respectively. It was found that incorporation of GP significantly affected cure characteristics and mechanical properties of the rubber composites. That is, decreasing cure time was observed from 11.6, 3.2, and 7.0 min in gum NR, ENR-25, and ENR-50 to 6.9, 2.1, and 5.0 min in NR/GP, ENR-25/GP, and ENR-50/GP compounds, respectively. Furthermore, the ENR-25/GP and ENR-50/GP composites showed finely dispersed GP particles which indicate high filler–rubber interactions. The in situ silanization with TESPT in rubber composites enhanced the mechanical properties of NR/GP and ENR-25/GP composites but no such enhancement was found in the ENR-50/GP composite. This matched the observations of Payne effect, maximum tan δ, and stress relaxation properties of the composites. We found that the ENR-25/GP composites exhibited the best overall properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47346.     

Blending of natural rubber with linear low-density polyethylene

Blends of natural rubber (NR) with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) were prepared by melt blending of the materials in a plasticorder mixer at various temperatures around the melting point of LLDPE and at various mixing rates. The optimum processing conditions were a temperature of about 135°C and a mixing rate of 55 rpm. The tensile properties, stress and strain, of the blend had improved significantly with the addition of liquid natural rubber (LNR) into the blend. For blends with compositions around 50% NR, about 10–15% LNR produced the most significant improvement in the physical properties. Welldispersed plastic particles in a rubber matrix were strongly indicated in these samples. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the samples also indicated an increase in the homogeneity of the mixes with the addition of LNR. A single glass transition temperature of about?55°C for the blend was observed via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Interfacial linking between the NR and LLDPE phases was attributed to the presence of active groups on the polyisoprene chain of LNR, which induced the interphase reaction between the NR and LLDPE phases. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of blend ratio on Mooney scorch time of rubber blends

The Mooney scorch times of three rubber blends [epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) 50/SMR L, ENR 50/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), and Standard Malaysian Rubber SMR L/SBR] were studied in the temperature range of 120–160°C using an automatic Mooney viscometer. N-Cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazyl sulfenamide was used as the accelerator, and the rubber formulation was based on the conventional vulcanization system. Results for the blends investigated indicate that a negative deviation of scorch time from the interpolated value was observed, especially for temperatures lower than 130°C. This observation was attributed to the induction effect of the ENR 50 in the ENR 50/SMR L and ENR 50/SBR blends to produce more activated precursors to crosslinks, thus enhancing interphase crosslinking. To a lesser extent, SMR L also exhibited such an induction effect in the SMR L/SBR blend. At 120°C, maximum induction effect occurred at around a 40% blend ratio of ENR 50 and SMR L in the respective blends. For the filled stock at 140°C, carbon black exhibited less effect on the scorch property of the blends compared to silica. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 1301–1305, 1998     

Effects of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR‐50) and processing parameters on the properties of NR/EPDM blends using response surface methodology

The effects of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR‐50) and processing parameters on the properties of natural rubber/ethylene–propylene–diene rubber (NR/EPDM; 70 : 30 phr) blends were studied. The compounds were prepared by melt compounding method. Using response surface methodology of two‐level full factorial, the effects of ENR‐50 contents (?1 : 5 phr; +1 : 10 phr), mixing temperature (?1 : 50°C; +1 : 110°C), rotor speed (?1 : 40 rpm; +1 : 80 rpm), and mixing time (?1 : 5 min; +1 : 9 min) in NR/EPDM blends were evaluated. Cure characteristics and tensile properties were selected as the responses. The significance of factors and its interaction was analyzed using ANOVA and the model's ability to represent the system was confirmed using the constant of determination, R² with values above 0.90. It was found that the presence of ENR‐50 has the predominant role on the properties of NR/EPDM blends. The addition of ENR‐50 significantly improved cure characteristics and tensile strength up to 5.12% and 6.48% compared to neat NR/EPDM blends, respectively. These findings were further supported by swell measurement, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40713.     

Toughness enhancement of poly(lactic acid) by melt blending with natural rubber

Rubber toughened poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was prepared by blending with natural rubber (NR)‐based polymers. The blends contained 10 wt % of rubber and melt blended with a twin screw extruder. Enhancement of impact strength of PLA was primarily concernced. This study was focused on the effect of rubber polarity, rubber viscosity and molecular weight on mechanical properties of the blends. Three types of rubbers were used: NR, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR25 and ENR50), and natural rubber grafted with poly(methyl methacrylate) (NR‐g‐PMMA). Effect of viscosity and molecular weight of NR, rubber mastication with a two‐roll mill was investigated. It was found that all blends showed higher impact strength than PLA and NR became the best toughening agent. Viscosity and molecular weight of NR decreased with increasing number of mastication. Impact strength of PLA/NR blends increased after applying NR mastication due to appropriate particle size. DMTA and DSC characterization were determined as well. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of epoxidized natural rubber on thermal properties,fatigue life,and natural weathering test of styrene butadiene rubber/recycled acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (SBR/NBRr) blends

The utilization of waste rubber powder in polymer matrices provides an attractive strategy for polymer waste disposal. Addition of recycled acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBRr) in rubber compounds gives economic (lowering the cost of rubber compounds) as well as processing advantages. In this study, the properties of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)/NBRr blends with and without epoxidized natural rubber (ENR‐50) as a compatibilizer were determined. The results such as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), fatigue life, and natural weathering test of SBR/NBRr blends with and without ENR‐50 were carried out. Results showed that TG thermograms of SBR/NBRr blends with ENR‐50 show lower thermal stability compared blends without ENR‐50. The incorporation of ENR‐50 into SBR/NBRr blends has reduced char residue compared SBR/NBRr blends without ENR‐50. The incorporation of ENR‐50 in SBR/NBRr blends has increased the rigidity of the blends thus lowering the fatigue life. The increment in tensile properties retention of SBR/NBRr blends with ENR‐50 indicated the enhancement on weathering resistant. The surfaces of SBR/NBRr blends with ENR‐50 after 6 months exposure showed a minimal severity of crack compared with SBR/NBRr blends without ENR‐50. It revealed that the scale of cracks has reduced indicating well‐retaining interfacial adhesion between SBR and NBRr with the presence of ENR‐50 as a compatibilizer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effects of zinc borate loading on thermal stability,flammability, crystallization properties of magnesium oxide/(90/10) mLLDPE/(NR/ENR-50) blends

Effects of different zinc borate (ZB) loadings on thermal, flammability and crystallinity properties of blends of 10 % rubber (9/1) natural rubber (NR)/epoxidised natural rubber (ENR)/metallocene linear low density polyethylene/N,N-m-phenylenebismaleimide/MgO were investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that –C=O and –OH groups appeared while C–O–C and C=C groups disappeared in all blend samples. ZB increased the activation of HVA-2 by changing the reaction mechanism and increasing the concentration of the –C=O groups in the blends due to the peak at 1,714–1,718 cm^?1. The crystallinity of all blends was increased by ZB loading increase; therefore, it played the heterogeneous nucleation center and maximum crystallinity was observed at 6 phr ZB blend. The thermal stability of NR improved with increase of zinc borate loading and the highest thermal stability was determined for 8 phr ZB blend. Good compatibilization between the two rubbers (NR/ENR-50) was achieved in the presence of ZB, which was revealed by the presence of only one peak for their decomposition. The limiting oxygen index value of mLLDPE was decreased by two rubbers loading increase, while it was increased by ZB loading increase to provide fire barriers to protect flammable materials from thermal damage. It was concluded that ZB has a synergistic effect on the LOI values of flame retardant mLLDPE/rubber containing MgO.     

Distribution of carbon black in natural rubber/acrylic rubber blends

Distributions of carbon black in 30/70% (w/w) natural rubber (NR)/acrylic rubber (ACM) blends were investigated as a function of the carbon black content and type using a dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) technique. Two different types of carbon black (N220 and N330) were used, and 10–50 phr carbon black was compounded to the rubber blends. From the DMTA thermograms of various blends, the weight fractions of carbon black in the NR and ACM phases were calculated. Carbon black was unevenly distributed in the rubber blend. It preferred to migrate into the NR phase, regardless of the amount of carbon black that was used. By increasing the carbon black content, the weight fraction of carbon black in the NR phase decreased whereas that in the ACM phase increased. A change in the type of carbon black from N220 to N330 significantly decreased the weight fraction of carbon black in the NR phase, but it was not sufficiently strong to affect the tensile properties and hardness of the rubber blend. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102:248–256, 2006     

Comparison Properties of Natural Rubber (SMR L)/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Copolymer Blends and Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR-50)/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Copolymer Blends

Mixing torque, morphology, tensile properties and swelling studies of natural rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blends were studied. Two series of unvulcanized blends, natural rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate (SMRL/EVA) copolymer blend and epoxidized natural rubber (50% epoxidation)/ethylene vinyl acetate (ENR-50/EVA) copolymer blend were prepared. Blends were prepared using a laboratory internal mixer, Haake Rheomix polydrive with rotor speed of 50 rpm at 120°C. Results indicated that mixing torque value and stabilization torque value in ENR-50 blends are lower than SMRL blends. The process efficiency of ENR-50/EVA blends is better due to less viscous nature of the blend compared to SMRL/EVA blends as indicated in stabilization torque graph. Tensile properties like tensile strength, M100 (modulus at 100% elongation) and E _b (elongation at break) increase with increasing EVA fraction in the blend. At the similar blend composition, ENR-50 blend shows better tensile properties than SMRL blends. In oil resistance test, swelling percentage increased with immersion time and rubber composition. At a similar immersion time, ENR-50 blends exhibit better oil resistance compared to SMRL blends. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of tensile fractured surface indicated that EVA/ENR-50 blends need higher energy to cause catastrophic failure compared to EVA/SMRL blends. In etched cryogenically fractured surface, size and distribution of holes due to extraction of rubber phase by methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) were studied and holes became bigger as rubber composition increased due to coalescence of rubber particle.     

Morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of natural rubber/nitrile rubber blends containing trans‐polyoctylene rubber as a compatibilizer

The use of trans‐polyoctylene rubber (TOR) as a compatibilizer for blends of natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The NR/NBR blends containing varying proportions of TOR were prepared in an internal mixer. AFM micrographs of NR/NBR blend at 50/50 (w/w) composition showed heterogeneous phase morphology with NR as a matrix and NBR as a dispersed phase. Inclusion of TOR in the NR/NBR blend altered the phase morphology by reducing the size of the NBR phase. DMA of NR/NBR/TOR showed reduction in tan δ peak height of NBR and an increase in storage modulus E′ in the rubbery region for the NR/NBR blends. A comparison of the E′ obtained from experimental data with that from theoretical models was made to deduce the location of TOR in the blend. Based on the fittings of calculated and experimental values of E′, it was inferred that TOR was incorporated into the NR phase at lower proportion as well as at the interfacial region at higher proportion. The Cole–Cole plot illustrated the compatibilizing effect of TOR. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

One‐step latex compounding method for producing composites of natural rubber/epoxidized natural rubber/aminosilane‐functionalized montmorillonite: enhancement of tensile strength and oil resistance

Montmorillonite (Mt) was intercalated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and functionalized with three types of aminosilane (3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, n‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and 3‐[2‐(2‐aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyltrimethoxysilane). The modified Mt was compounded with natural rubber (NR)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) via one‐step latex compounding. The effect of the modified Mt content on the oil resistance and mechanical properties of the NR/ENR/modified Mt composites was investigated. The X‐ray diffraction patterns of the composites showed partial intercalation/exfoliation of the modified Mt in the rubber matrix. Cryogenic fracture and X‐ray fluorescence results revealed highly dispersed modified Mt in the composites in the presence of 10 phr ENR. All three aminosilane groups slightly improved the oil resistance, with the long‐alkyl‐length group producing the greatest improvement. The addition of a small amount of modified Mt improved both oil resistance and tensile strength by increasing in the average diffusion path length in the NR matrix and enhancing the interaction between the modified Mt and the epoxide groups in ENR. The addition of 1.0 phr of modified Mt increased the tensile strength by 18% and decreased the elongation at break by 12% compared with a neat NR/ENR blend. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Pervaporation of acetone‐chlorinated hydrocarbon mixtures through polymer blend membranes of natural rubber and epoxidized natural rubber

Transparent nonporous membranes were prepared by blending natural rubber (NR) with epoxidized NR (ENR). These blend membranes were evaluated for the selective separation of chlorinated hydrocarbons from acetone. The flux and selectivity of the membranes were determined both as a function of the blend composition and feed mixture composition. Results showed that polymer blending method could be very useful to develop new membranes with improved permselectivity. Pervaporation properties could be optimized by adjusting the blend composition. NR/ENR 70/30 and NR/ENR 30/70 composition showed a decrease in flux and selectivity, whereas the 50/50 composition showed increased flux and increased selectivity. Chlorinated hydrocarbons permeated preferentially through all the tested membranes. The feed mixture composition also strongly influenced the pervaporation characteristics of the blend membranes. Permselectivity was found to depend on the molecular size of the penetrants. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 2365–2379, 1999     

Development and characterization of graphitic carbon nitride as nonblack filler in natural rubber composites

A new type of elastomeric composite containing natural rubber (NR) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has been successfully prepared with the reinforced property. The reinforcing effect of g-C₃N₄ in NR composites was examined by cure, mechanical, morphological, and swelling studies. Besides, epoxidized NR with 50-mol % epoxy level (ENR-50) was used as a compatibilizer to enhance the hydrophilic g-C₃N₄ filler capacity for hydrophobic NR composites. At the same filler load level, the mechanical properties of NR/g-C₃N₄ composites, such as tensile strength and tensile modulus, were consistently increased with increased ENR-50 content. To note, the ENR compatibilized composites have shown better-reinforced performance, which has been attributed to the hydrogen bonding interactions between the uncondensed amine groups in g-C₃N₄ and the polar groups in ENR. We believe that these newly prepared NR composites based on g-C₃N₄ as nonblack filler and ENR-50 as compatibilizer can find potential applications in modern day rubber research. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48136.     

The effect of epoxidized natural rubber on mechanical properties of siliceous earth/natural rubber composites

Siliceous earth (SE) is a kind of mineral consisting of lamellar kaolinite, muscovite (aluminum silicate) and corpuscular silica. Natural rubber (NR) composites containing NR as matrix, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) as compatibilizer and SE as filler were produced by latex coagulating process and cured using a conventional sulfuric system. Monsanto measurements have shown that the ENR accelerates the vulcanization reaction and gives rise to a marked increase of the torque. The results of physico-mechanical properties of NR vulcanizates show that, when SE modified by silane coupling agent and in the meanwhile adding 4 phr of ENR as compatibilizer, maximum tensile strength, elongation at break, reinforcing index (M300/100) of NR/SE vulcanizates were obtained. The dynamic-mechanical properties exhibit the addition of ENR can enhance wet grip characteristics and reduce rolling resistance by lowering tan δ values at 60 °C and increasing tan δ values at 0 °C of NR compounds. The overall results show that properties of SE-reinforced NR substantially improved by adding ENR as compatibilizer. The addition of silane coupling agent and combining an appropriate amount of ENR would be better choice to improve the properties of NR/SE compounds.