Effect of the silane coupling agent on the physicomechanical properties of EPDM/SBR/AL2O3 rubber blend nanocomposites

In this study, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)/styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) blend nanocomposites filled with alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles were prepared. Al2O3 nanoparticles were used with or without surface treatment by the silane coupling agent bis[3 (triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide, and Al2O3 nanoparticle–filled EPDM/SBR was compared with carbon black. The influences of the filler type, size, concentration, and surface property on the curing characteristics, degree of filler dispersion, mechanical properties, and morphological characteristics of the EPDM/SBR nanocomposites were investigated. We found that the mechanical and curing properties of the nanocomposites were enhanced owing to the presence of Al2O3 nanoparticles. The addition of the silane coupling agent further improved the properties of the nanocomposites.