Morphology and properties of styrene-butadiene rubber/silica composites modified by epoxidized natural rubber

Styrene-butadiene rubber/silica composites modified by epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) were prepared, the effect of ENR on the micromor-phology and some properties, such as mechanical properties, thermal stability, hot air aging resistance, dynamic mechanical properties, were investigated. The results showed that the addition of a small amount of ENR could improve the dispersion of silica in rubber matrix. The modulus, tensile strength, tear strength and wear resistance of the composite vulcanizates were enhanced and the compression fatigue temperature rising was reduced when ENR amount varied from 0 to 8 phr, meanwhile, the wet skid resistance was improved evidently without changing the rolling resistance, but ENR would result in a slight decrease in hot air aging resistance. The composite with optimum all-round property could be obtained when the amount of ENR-50 was about 3 phr.