Reinforcement of compatibilized NR/NBR blends by fly ash particles and precipitated silica

Abstract

Effects of precipitated silica (PSi) and silica from fly ash (FA) particles (FASi) on the cure and mechanical properties before and after thermal and oil aging of natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) blends with and without chloroprene rubber (CR) or epoxidized NR (ENR) as a compatibilizer have been reported in this paper. The experimental results suggested that the scorch and cure times decreased with the addition of silica and the compound viscosity increased on increasing the silica content. The mechanical properties for PSi filled NR/NBR vulcanizates were greater than those for FASi filled NR/NBR vulcanizates in all cases. The PSi could be used for reinforcing the NR/NBR vulcanizates while the silica from FA was regarded as a semi-reinforcing and/or extending filler. The incorporation of CR or ENR enhanced the mechanical properties of the NR/ NBR vulcanizates, the ENR being more effective and compatible with the blend. The mechanical properties of the NR/NBR vulcanizates were improved by post-curing effect from thermal aging but deteriorated by the oil aging. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.