Thermal characterization of SBR/NBR blends reinforced with a mesoporous silica

In this article, blends of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) filled with a mesoporous silica are characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. According to the variation of the glass transition temperature with the composition of the blends, it is deduced that the compatibility of SBR and NBR is reduced in the presence of mesoporous silica. Analysis of the morphology of the composites by SEM shows that the dispersion of the filler is improved in the presence of NBR which is an indicative that this elastomer interacts stronger with silica than SBR.