Methodological Characterization of Rubber–Filler Interactions in Silica‐Filled SBR/BR Systems

Since some decades, styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) and butadiene rubber (BR) polymers have been used to prepare silica‐filled raw mixtures basing on SBR/BR binary blends for green tire technology. Utilization of high filler concentrations and various components in these complex reinforced rubber systems make the analysis of rubber–filler interactions difficult. Developing new characterization methods and carrying out some methodological characterizations are important for the material and property investigations in this field. In this study, direct and indirect characterization methods mostly used for investigations of rubber–filler and filler–filler interactions, their potential relationships to each other and the problems of characterization methods especially imaging techniques at micro and nanoscale, are discussed for silica‐filled SBR and BR systems.