Effect of the silane coupling agent on the physicomechanical properties of EPDM/SBR/AL₂O₃ rubber blend nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)/styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) blend nanocomposites filled with alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles were prepared. Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles were used with or without surface treatment by the silane coupling agent bis[3 (triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide, and Al 2 O 3 nanoparticle–filled EPDM/SBR was compared with carbon black. The influences of the filler type, size, concentration, and surface property on the curing characteristics, degree of filler dispersion, mechanical properties, and morphological characteristics of the EPDM/SBR nanocomposites were investigated. We found that the mechanical and curing properties of the nanocomposites were enhanced owing to the presence of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles. The addition of the silane coupling agent further improved the properties of the nanocomposites.