Reinforcement Mechanism of Carbon Black (CB) in Natural Rubber Vulcanizates: Relationship Between CB Aggregate and Network Structure and Viscoelastic Properties

Abstract

ABSTRACT Carbon black (CB) aggregates in CB-filled natural rubber (NR) vulcanizate were joined together and formed CB aggregates in the CB region less than 20 phr. It was found that the viscoelastic behavior was related to the hydrodynamic interaction between CB aggregate and NR matrix. In the CB loading region more than 40 phr, CB aggregates formed CB network structure in it. Using the parallel mechanical model of the two phases of a rubber matrix and an immobilized CB/NR interfacial layer excluding a CB phase, it was possible to quantitatively explain the relationship between the viscoelastic behavior of CB network structure. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT