Effect of surface oxidation of carbon black on its bonding with epoxidizednatural rubber in the presence of silane coupling agent

Results of bound rubber determination, Monsanto rheometry, solvent swelling studies and measurement of physical properties reveal that high temperatur e molding of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) filled with intermediate super abrasion furnace (ISAF) carbon black and surface oxidized ISAF carbon blac k, in the presence of silane coupling agent, namely, N-(4-vinylbenzl)-N'-[3 -(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethane-1,2-diamine monoHCl salt, results in crossl inking of the rubber phase, even in the absence of the vulcanizing agents. Infrared spectroscopic studies show formation of silyl ether, in the case o f ISAF carbon black, whereas the oxidized grade forms both silyl ether as w ell as silyl eater and amide linkage. Oxidation of ISAF carbon black causes an increase in the extent of coupling bond formation.