Effects of liquid isoprene rubber on properties of cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber/natural rubber blends

Self-made liquid isoprene rubber( SLIR) and commercial product LIR-50 were substituted respectively for equal amount of natural rubber( NR) in cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber( BR) / NR blend and their effect on the properties of the blends were investigated. The results showed that the introduction of LIR improved wet skid resistance,but increased rolling resistance. With increasing LIR amount in the range of 5- 15 phr, the tensile strength,tear strength and elongation at break of the BR / NR vulcanizates decreased slightly,but the abrasion and the heat build-up of the vulcanizates increased to some extent,indicating the similar effect of the two LIRs.