Influence of interfacial compatibilizer,silane modification,and filler hybrid on the performance of NR/NBR blends

The effects of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) as a compatibilizer, silane in situ modification, and filler hybrid on the properties of natural rubber/acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber blends were systematically studied. Phase change with the incorporation of ENR was quantitatively characterized via atomic force microscope quantitative nanomechanics technique. The results show that ENR could greatly reduce the dispersed domain size and increase the interfacial thickness; however, this compatibilizing effect reached the limit when ENR content was 5 parts per hundred rubber (phr). If the content is further increased, the redundant ENR start to gather at the interface and thus form a third phase. The macroscopic dynamic performance measurement was well in accordance with the microscale observation; the blend with 5 phr of ENR presented the lowest heat generation. The results also revealed that silane modification could significantly improve the overall properties, which benefited from better filler dispersal as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. Finally, the effect of filler hybrid [silica and carbon black (CB)] was studied. It turned out that the blend containing 20 phr silica and 32 phr CB synchronously possessed high wet grip property, low rolling resistance, and high wear resistance, which makes it very promising for the high-performance tire application. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47421.