The Effect of Chemical Modification on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Black Filled Elastomer

The aim of the work was to modify the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) in order to improve mechanical properties by enhancing filler-polymer interactions. Following compounds were used as the coupling agents: 2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline (OKS), 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMC), 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NWP). Two types of carbon black were used as a reinforcing filler: pigment black FW200 and FEF N550. The fillers were characterized by dibutylphtalate (DBP) absorption analysis, aggregates size, rheological properties of filler suspensions and zeta potential analysis. The compounding was carried out in a laboratory rolling mill. Samples were prepared through the vulcanization process at 160°C. The vulcanization kinetics of rubber compounds, crosslink density and mechanical properties of vulcanizates were also measured.