Abstract

In this study, the effect of the environment on the wear of natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates containing three kinds of carbon black, namely, HAF(N330), ISAF(N220), and SAF(N110), were examined. The friction coefficient and wear rate of each carbon black‐filled NR tended to decrease with decreasing ambient air pressure. In air, the wear rates of NR vulcanizates containing ISAF and SAF were lower than NR containing HAF. No difference in the former two vulcanizates could be observed. However, at a reduced air pressure of 66 Pa, the wear rates of NR with ISAF and SAF were 22% and 7%, respectively, when compared with that of NR with HAF. With a reduction in the size of carbon black, a large difference in the wear rates could be seen in vacuum.