The mechanical properties of functionally graded polymeric composites (FGPCs) with varying carbon black loading and the effect of stacking sequence in styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix were studied. For a given average amount of nanofiller, the modulus of FGPCs for any given stacking sequence of layers is higher when compared with its uniformly dispersed polymeric composites (UDPCs) counterpart. Tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength either increase or decrease depending on the stacking sequence and average loading of the filler in FGPCs. In addition, the smoother gradation (i.e., lesser difference in the amounts of CB content in adjacent layers) and a wide gap of difference in CB content in a stack has a profound effect on the modulus and tensile strength of FGPCs. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows lesser damping in FGPCs than UDPCs. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012