The effect of silane-modified carbon black and nano-silica, individually and in combination, on the performance of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber

This study assesses the effectiveness of a specially developed surface-modified carbon black, both on its own and in combination with nano-silica, as a hybrid filler for ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) rubber compounds. The modification process, which included treatment with a silane coupling agent, resulted in enhanced curing characteristics. The ∆Torque values for compounds incorporating the modified carbon black exceeded those of other formulations by 25.85%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated improved filler dispersion and better compatibility between rubber and filler due to the surface modification. The silane-modified carbon black showed considerable enhancements in mechanical properties, particularly in tear resistance, with increases in tensile and tear strength of 22.46% and 34.86%, respectively, following surface treatment. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) indicated the influence of both surface modification and filler type, revealing that the combination of modified carbon black and nano-silica achieved a reduction in rolling resistance of 20.41% and enhanced ice and wet grip performance by 7.95%. Additionally, modified carbon black displayed varying effects on the glass transition temperature. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed that the thermal stability of the compounds was consistent, while solvent resistance improved with surface modification, as shown by swelling ratios. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the surface modification of carbon black positively influences the elasticity and chain mobility of the rubber compounds studied. In conclusion, the careful selection and optimization of filler materials and their modifications are essential for customizing the properties of rubber compounds to satisfy specific performance criteria and applications.