Methods of preparing a composite having elastomer and filler

A method of preparing a composite, comprising:

• (a) charging a mixer having one or more rotors with at least a solid elastomer and a wet filler comprising a filler and a liquid present in an amount of at least 15% by weight based on total weight of wet filler;
• (b) in one or more mixing steps, mixing in the mixer, the at least the solid elastomer and the wet filler to form a mixture, and in at least one of said mixing steps, conducting said mixing at mixer temperatures controlled by at least one temperature-control means with the one or more rotors operating at a tip speed of at least 0.6 m/s for at least 50% of mixing time, and removing at least a portion of the liquid from the mixture by evaporation;
• (c) discharging, from the mixer, the composite comprising the filler dispersed in the elastomer at a loading of at least 20 phr with a filler yield loss of no more than 10%, wherein the composite has a liquid content of no more than 10% by weight based on total weight of said composite.