Mechanical Properties of Melt-processed Blend of Amorphous Corn Flour Composite Filler and Styrene-Butadiene Rubber

The corn flour composite fillers were prepared by blending corn flour with rubber latex, dried, and cryogenically ground into powders, which were then melt-blended with rubber polymers in an internal mixer to form composites with enhanced mechanical properties. The composites prepared with melt-blending method were compared to those prepared with a freeze-drying method. The composite fillers prepared with styrene-butadiene were compared to those made with carboxylated styrene-butadiene matrix. Dynamic effects showed that the corn flour composite fillers produced composites with good tensile strength, elongation ratio, and toughness at 500mm/min strain rate. Tear resistance of different composites was also studied.