Influence of interfacial roughness and the hybrid filler microstructures on the properties of ternary elastomeric composites

Influences of microstructures upon the properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) based composite containing nanoclay (NC) and different carbon black (CB) were analyzed based on SAXS, TEM, tensile properties, dynamic mechanical analysis, and electrical measurement. Tensile strength of CB–ENR composites depends directly on interfacial roughness of CB–ENR interfaces. In NC–CB–ENR composites, interfacial roughness was enhanced due to contribution from NC–CB interface. Such improved roughness was correlated with increased ‘Payne effect’ from binary to ternary composites. Connectivity in microstructures was realized through TEM and electrical properties (Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization, resistivity). In presence of NC, filler connectivity in all ternary composites was improved except for HAF–NC–elastomer composite which was due to intense ‘haloing effect’.