Role of Epoxidized Natural Rubber in Dynamic Mechanical Properties of NR/ENR/silica Composites

NR/ENR/silica composites with different ENR amount were prepared in an open two-roll laboratory mixing mill at room temperature. Dynamic properties of ENR filled NR/silica were performed by dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMA) and compression fatigue analyzer. DMA and compression fatigue test results showed that the effect of ENR on dynamic properties of NR/silica was significant. DMA displayed the tanδ of NR/ENR/silica composites at 0 °C was increased with increasing ENR amount. Compression fatigue test indicated the presence of ENR decreased the heat produced during compression test and the heat build-up is the least when NR to ENR ratio is 80 to 20. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the morphology of NR/silica filled with ENR. It is found that silica self-aggregation was improved in the presence of ENR and sea-island structure was formed in NR/silica when 30phr ENR added, which maybe the reason of decrement of heat produced during compression.