Reinforcement of solution styrene‐butadiene rubber by incorporating hybrids of rice bran carbon and surface modified fumed silica

This study attempts to improve mechanical and material properties by incorporating hybrid fillers of rice bran carbon (RBC) and modified fumed silica (SiO2). The composites of solution‐polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) filled with RBC and SiO2 were prepared via a mechanical mixing method. The effect of SiO2 on varying amounts on SSBR composites is illustrated, and the cure characteristics, thermal stability, friction, and mechanical properties are measured. It was discovered that the properties can be enhanced with the addition of SiO2 through mechanical testing. The results show that composites filled with RBC and SiO2‐doped filler exhibited higher tensile strength and hardness compared to those only filled with RBC. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:E194–E200, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers