Influence of Nanocrystalline Cellulose on Structure and Properties of Natural Rubber/Silica Composites

A complex of resorcinol and hexamethylenetetramine (RH) was utilized to modify nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). The modified NCC (MNCC) was then mixed with natural rubber (NR) filled silica. The structure, processing properties, mechanical properties, and dynamic compression fatigue properties of the NR/MNCC/Silica nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rubber processing analyzer, electronic tensile machine, and dynamic compression fatigue performance tester. The results showed that the processing properties, mechanical properties, and dynamic compression fatigue properties of NR/MNCC/Silica nanocomposites were substantially improved over NR/Silica composites. Their better performances in terms of processing, mechanical properties, heat build-up, and permanent set were correlated to the better dispersion of MNCC and stronger interface interaction between NR and MNCC than NR/Silica composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:861-868, 2015. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers