Influence of Silanized-Silica and Carbon Black on the Cure and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber/Recycled Chloroprene Rubber (NR/rCR) Blends

Abstract

The loadings effect of carbon black and silanized-silica filled 75/25 phr/phr of natural rubber/recycled chloroprene rubber (NR/rCR) blends were compared with the unfilled NR/rCR blends. Different filler loading between in the range of 10- 40 phr was used. The rubber blends were prepared by using a laboratory two-roll mill and rheometric characteristics were studied using the Monsanto moving die rheometer (MDR 2000) at 150 °C. The addition of CB and silanized-silica showed different trend in scorch and cure time but showed similar trend in torques. The incorporation of both fillers caused higher tensile strength than that unfilled rubber blends. By comparison, the silanized-silica filled NR/rCR blends showed higher tensile strength than CB filled NR/rCR blends. Morphological characterization as observed from SEM justified these results.