Infrared spectra have been obtained of carbon black filled polybutadiene using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Transmission and reflection techniques were employed. Polybutadiene was compounded with three fillers: Silene, general purpose furnace black, and Austin black. Subtle changes were observed in the vibrations of polybutadiene upon the addition of fillers. Transmission sampling through dilution with KBr gave better spectra than attenuated total reflection techniques in ease of data acquisition, and was therefore chosen as the principal method for further studies.
