AbstractThe effect of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)–polyethyleneglycol (PEG) resin on the cure characteristics and mechanical properties of nitrile rubber/whole tyre reclaim—short nylon fiber composite—was studied. At a constant loading of 5 phr, the resin composition was varied. The minimum torque and (maximum − minimum) torque increased with isocyanate concentration. Scorch time and cure time showed a reduction on introduction of bonding agent. Properties like tensile strength, tear strength, and abrasion resistance increased with increase in MDI/PEG ratio, and these properties are higher in the longitudinal direction of fiber orientation. Compression set increased with isocyanate concentration and the resilience remain unchanged. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 20: 281–288, 2001