In this study, nine rubber compounds were produced by varying the proportions of natural rubber (NR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), and four different carbon blacks. Tensile and tear properties are enhanced by the addition of intermediate super abrasion furnace (ISAF) N231, and modulus increases for the compounds containing N234 carbon blacks. The wear behavior of the prepared rubber vulcanizates against various rocks, such as, granite, shale, schist, sandstone, coal, and concrete, at 4.4 N normal load and 0.8 m/s relative sliding speed were studied in a specially fabricated experimental setup. The DIN abrasion testing results show good abrasion resistant properties of 70 phr NR and 30 phr SBR with N231 grade ISAF type carbon black. Also, moderate abrasion resistance is found in rubber compound containing 80 phr NR and 20 phr SBR with N234 grade ISAF type of carbon black. Out of the various rock types, the schist and sandstone are observed to be highly abrasive against the prepared rubber compounds. The microscopic examination of the abraded rubber surfaces has indicated the formation of longitudinal grooves against harder rocks and transverse ridges against softer rocks. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 111: 348-357, 2009