The aim of the present research work is to develop expanded graphite (EG) and isocyanate modified
graphite nanoplatelets (i-MG) filled SBR/BR blends, which can substitute natural rubber (NR) in some
application areas. The present study investigated the effect of i-MG on the physical, mechanical and
thermo-mechanical properties of polybutadiene rubber (BR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and SBR/
BR blends in the presence of carbon black (CB). Graphite sheets were modified to enhance its dispersion
in the rubber matrices, which resulting in an improvement in the overall physical and mechanical
properties of the rubber vulcanizates. Compounds based on 50:50 of BR and SBR with 3 wt% nanofillers
with CB were fabricated by melt mixing. The morphology of the filled rubber blends was investigated by
wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR-TEM)
analyses. The intercalated and delaminated structures of the nanofiller loaded rubber blends were
observed. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis of the cryo-fractured surfaces of the rubber compounds
showed more rough and tortuous pathway of the fractured surfaces compared to the fractured
surfaces of the only CB loaded rubber composites. Filled rubber compounds exhibit increase in the DS
(torque difference) value, reduced scorch and cure time compared to their respective controls. Dynamic
mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) of the filled rubber compounds shows an increase in the storage
modulus compared to the controls. Isocyanate modified graphite nanoplatelets (i-MG) containing rubber
compounds in the presence of CB showed an increase in the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, hardness,
abrasion resistance and thermal properties compared to the alone CB filled rubber vulcanizates.