Effect of hybrid carbon black/lignin on rheological, mechanical and thermal stability properties of NR/BR composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of hybrid carbon black/lignin on the rheological, mechanical and thermal stability of NR/BR composites. Three types of lignin, namely, Kraft lignin (KL), organosolv lignin (OL) and soda lignin (SL) were incorporated into rubber matrix at the filler loadings of 5–20 phr, where the total filler content was fixed at 50 phr. Based on the performance of the three types of lignin, the KL and OL-filled NR/BR composites showed better properties compared to SL-filled NR/BR composite. However, the inclusion of KL up to a loading of 10 phr in the rubber matrix showed comparable results with those of the NR/BR/CB50 (without lignin). It was observed that the minimum and maximum torque (ML and MH, respectively) of the composite with KL were improved. Furthermore, the incorporation of lignin in the NR/BR matrix reduced the Payne effect and enhanced their processability, thermal stability and aging resistance.