shows the tear strength of compatibilized and non-compatibilized
blends. There is considerable improvement (28%) at
1% MA compared to silica-filled NR (not containing MA or PS). As
the filler agglomeration is less for compatibilized blends, the filler
particles can be properly wetted by macromolecules and hence
adhesion between the filler and matrix improves. Thus, the energy
required to propagate a crack increases, resulting in higher tear