dispersion of fine rubber particles (particle size
below 5 m). Mixing of latex with LS, followed by
coagulation, is therefore an interesting way to produce
rubber nanocomposites. This route has been already
followed for natural (NR),4 styrene/butadiene
(SBR),5–6 acrylonitrile/butadiene (NBR),7 and carboxylated
NBR.8 On the other hand, no report is available
on LS-reinforced latex blends. This is quite surprising
as latex combinations are widely used to improve
some praxis-relevant properties of the constituents.
Note that NR has to be filled/reinforced owing to its
moderate tear strength [e.g., 9–10]. To improve the
resistance to solvents (especially toward hydrocarbons),
abrasion, and UV irradiation, NR is often
blended with polyurethane rubber (PUR). Accordingly,
the aims of this present work were (1) to produce
LS-reinforced NR/PUR-based nanocomposites
via latex compounding, and (2) to study their morphology-
dependent mechanical prope