Modification of rubber compositions by carbon nanotubes

The description of the method developed by the authors of modification of the carbon black (CB) reinforced rubber composition by addition multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into its composition is presented. The process includes the pre-formation of a mixture of CB with CNT by their joint treatment in a liquid, which ensures deagglomeration of CNTs and uniform distribution of CNTs and CB among themselves, subsequent drying, loosening and addition into the rubber composition with stirring. The amount and composition of hybrid nanofiller (CB and CNTs), as well as the method of CNTs inclusion: CB addition, CB substitution or its partial substitution is determined by a calculation that takes into account the ratio between the specific surface of CB and CNTs and the average particle size. Comparison of the predicted values of CNTs and CB with experimental data for rubber compositions with optimal characteristics based on both natural and synthetic rubbers shows the high efficiency of the applied method.