EVALUATION OF MICA-FILLED STYRENE-BUTADIENE RUBBER

The possibility of replacement of active fillers, e.g. carbon black, for cheap products, e.g. mica, were investigated. The physical mechanical properties of SBR composites with mica and carbon black, using a constant total filler content (50 phr) have been studied. Tensile strength shows the best results when 10 phr of mica are used in combination with 40 phr of carbon black. These results are better than those for formulations in which carbon black is used alone. Relationships between mechanical behaviour and structure have been examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the fracture surface of the compositions.