The effect of alkanolamide loading on properties of carbon black-filled natural rubber (SMR-L), epoxidised natural rubber (ENR), and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds

The effect of Alkanolamide (ALK) loading on properties on three different types of carbon black (CB)-filled rubbers (SMR-L, ENR-25, and SBR) was investigated. The ALK loadings were 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 phr. It was found that ALK gave cure enhancement, better filler dispersion and greater rubber filler interaction. ALK also enhanced modulus, hardness, resilience and tensile strength, especially up to 5.0 phr of loading in SMR-L and SBR compounds, and at 1.0 phr in ENR-25 compound. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proved that each optimum ALK loading exhibited the greatest matrix tearing line and surface roughness due to better rubber - filler interaction. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.