Improved dynamic properties of natural rubber filled with irradiation-modified carbon black

• Irradiated CBs had more oxygen-containing groups than original CBs.
• Irradiated CBs had smaller particle sizes than original CBs.
• NR filled with irradiated CBs has lower abrasion than NR filled with untreated CBs.
• NR filled with irradiated CBs has lower rolling resistance than NR filled with untreated CBs.

In this work, carbon black particles (CBs) were modified by high-energy electron beam (EB) irradiation at different doses. The influence of EB irradiation on the surface and particle size of CBs was investigated. Then, the CBs were compounded with natural rubber (NR), and the mechanical properties and dynamic properties of CBs/NR composite were further researched. The results showed that the irradiated CBs had more oxygen-containing groups and smaller particle sizes than original CBs. After irradiation, the content of bound rubber around the irradiated CBs increased, and the mechanical properties of CBs/NR composite were improved. Most importantly, NR filled with irradiated CBs has lower abrasion, higher wet skid resistance, and lower rolling resistance than NR filled with untreated CBs.