Influence of fillers on the mechanical and tribological properties of acrylo-nitrile-butadiene-vulcanisates (NBR)

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) in sealing applications are highly reinforced with various fillers to improve their end-use properties. In this study, the influence of modified and unmodified carbon black fillers (CB) on the mechanical and tribological properties of NBR has been investigated. A direct bonding between the NBR matrix and the modified CB through an organic coupler is intended, which will result in the reduction of the heat buildup and improvement of wear resistance under dynamic loading conditions. Though quasi-static experiments show an improvement in the properties of the reinforced elastomer, dynamic mechanical and tribological properties does not show a significant difference.