The influence of crystalline component with varied chain sequence structure and crystallinity on properties of NR based nanocomposites

The influences of polymer network structures on the properties of natural rubber (NR) based products were investigated in this work through blending NR with trans-1,4-poly(butadiene-co-isoprene) (TBIR) copolymers with varied crystallinity. Series of TBIR copolymers with varied chain sequence structure and crystallinity were synthesized. Blending 10 phr TBIR-1 (crystallinity 9.4%) with NR, the vulcanized NR/TBIR-1 composite presented the highest fatigue resistance, reduced rolling resistance and abrasion, reduced tear strength when compared with NR composite. While NR/TBIR-3 (crystallinity 4.1%) vulcanizate presented satisfied dynamic properties, like much lower rolling resistance and abrasion, excellent fatigue resistance and tear strength. The chain sequence structures of TBIR had significant effects on the dynamic properties of NR composites by constructing polymer ternary-network structures. This work is dedicated to understand the key parameters determining the dynamic properties of rubber composites and proposed the ideal polymer network structure for high performance rubber composites.