Preparation and Characterization of Natural Rubber Composites Comprising Conductive Carbon Black/Magnetite Hybrid Fillers Obtained by Impregnation Technology

Abstract

Hybrid fillers have been prepared of conductive carbon black/magnetite at various ratios of the phases: 90:10, 70:30, and 50:50. The fillers have been characterized and their effect on the curing, mechanical, electric, and dynamic properties of natural rubber–based vulcanizates has been also investigated. The macrohomogeneity of the composites has been evaluated by ohmic resistivity measurements and correlation analysis. It has been established that all properties studied are dependent on the ratio between the filler’s phases. Viewing their composition, we conclude that the hybrid fillers are expected to exhibit both high dielectric and magnetic losses and may find application in the manufacturing of microwave absorbers.