Preparation of Oil‐Extended Styrene‐Butadiene Rubber/Attapulgite Nanocomposites by Emulsion Blending and Synergistic Reinforcement With Carbon Black or Silica

ABSTRACT To enhance the performance of oil‐extended rubber, reduce costs, conserve petroleum resource consumption, and lower carbon emissions, a modified attapulgite (ATP) slurry was prepared and thoroughly mixed with a rubber emulsion. Oil‐extended styrene‐butadiene rubber/attapulgite nanocomposites were prepared by emulsion blending. Carbon black (CB) or silica was mechanically mixed with other vulcanization components to obtain a series of vulcanizates filled with different ATP contents. The influence of different reinforcing agents on the processing and mechanical properties was studied. The results showed that the addition of ATP improved the thermal stability of raw rubber. The carbon black reinforcement system exhibited a better processing performance. The normal mechanical properties of the vulcanizates and the external work required for breakage were enhanced by the addition of ATP. In the silica‐reinforced system, the normal mechanical properties were significantly improved, achieving a tensile strength of over 20 MPa, which is comparable to that of samples reinforced solely with carbon black. Silica‐reinforced rubber achieved significantly lower rolling resistance in terms of dynamic mechanical performance, which is more relevant to practical applications. In addition, silica‐reinforced rubber enables the production of colored products, and the incorporation of ATP does not affect this property.