Mechanical and tribological properties of natural rubber reinforced with carbon blacks and Al2O3 nanoparticles

A novel Natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites filled with carbon blacks (CBs) and organically modified Al2O3 nanoparticles were prepared and the synergistic effect of CBs and Al2O3 nanoparticles on the properties of the nanocomposites was investigated. The microstructure, tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, tearing strength and abrasion resistance of the NR nanocomposites were evaluated. The nano-Al2O3 played an important reinforcement effect on the mechanical properties, abrasion resistance and thermal stability of the nanocomposites when it was introduced combined with CBs. Especially, the NR nanocomposites containing hyperbranched polyester modified nano-Al2O3 and CBs gave the best abrasion resistance and thermal stability.