Effects of tire-derived pyrolytic carbon black and pyrolytic heavy oil on the curing and mechanical properties of styrene-butadiene rubber composites

To investigate the potential effect of the pyrolytic carbon black (CBp) and pyrolytic heavy oil (HO), we incorporated them into styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) as reinforcing filler and plasticizing agent, respectively. Since the industrial N330 CB's specific surface area and other specifications adhere to the CBp standard, it has been selected as a benchmark. To test HO's applicability, conventional (AO) was substituted with it. We experimented with the N330 and CBp in the 1/1 variant. We examined the impacts on the cure behavior, physical characteristics such as density and hardness, mechanical properties, abrasion resistance, dynamic mechanical performance, and thermal properties of the filled SBR composites. According to field emission (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs, the increased tensile and tear strength is due to N330 black's superior dispersion over CBp in the rubber matrix. Better dispersion in N330 type CB is also justified by lower tan d(max) from the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) study. Utilizing HO changes the curing conditions since it comprises more sulfur, which accelerates the formation of sulfur-sulfur cross-links. Increased tensile and tear strengths, as well as improved dispersion in the rubber matrix, have been seen with the combined use of N330 and CBp. Meanwhile, HO could function well in place of commercially available AOs.