Physical and dynamic mechanical properties of silica filled nitrile rubber modified with epoxidised natural rubber

The use of epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) as a reinforcement modifier for silica filled nitrile rubber (NBR) is reported. A combination of CBS/DPG cure system was used for the study. Bound rubber, Kraus plots and dynamic mechanical analysis showed reinforcement modification by ENR. Other improvements triggered on by epoxidized NR are: lower tan δ, higher tensile strength, higher modulus and tear strength, reduced abrasion loss, diminished compression set and minor heat build up of the vulcanizates.