This work focused on the effect of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) on the curing characteristics

aging resistance and thermal stability of natural rubber (NR) reinforced with carbon black (CB). Sharing the same fillers loading of 45 parts per hundred rubber (phr)

NR/NCC/CB composites with different NCC/CB ratios (

i.e.

0/45

5/40

10/35

15/30

20/25 phr) were prepared and analyzed. Resorcinol and hexamethylene tetramine (RH)

acting as the modifier in NR/NCC interface

was also discussed for its influence. The result showed that an relatively higher ratio of NCC/CB led to a lower torque

a shorter cure time (

T

90

)

a slightly longer scorch time (

T

10

) and a bigger vulcanization rate constant (

K

). This tendency suggested that the existence of NCC accelerated the vulcanization process. Additionally

modified by RH

NR/NCC/CB compounds exhibited a short

T

10

and a elevated torque. And a moderate RH content would lower the

E

a

of vulcanization. A 10 phr substitute of CB by NCC can help to improve aging resistance in terms of mechanical properties. In a high temperature aging condition

composites with 10 phr NCC also performed the highest storage modulus (

G

′) among composites tested. A moderate NCC content contributed to the best retention of

G

′ after high temperature aging

so did the incorporation of RH. With the partial replacement of CB by NCC

the temperature of 5% weight-lose had a slight drop and the apparent crosslink density showed a decrease. Thanks to the interaction of RH with both NR and NCC

composites showed an improvement in apparent crosslink density after modified by RH.