Abstract
OrganoClay (OC) was employed as secondary filler in silica-filled NR compounds. However, the OC contains ca. 53 wt% of clay and ca. 47 wt% of an organo-modifier which is non-solid, meaning that the changed silica/OC addition from 55.0/0 to 35/20 phr leads to decreased total solids contents of fillers in the compounds. This raises a question whether the changes in properties, in particular apparent crosslink density, filler-rubber and filler-filler interactions and mechanical properties, are affected by the variation in this total solids content as the major factor. In order to clarify this matter, the compounds were prepared to have an identical amount of silica, i.e. 55 phr, while adding the OC on top with variable amounts, i.e. 0 – 20 phr, and keeping the quantity and type of other ingredients the same to those of the reference compound. Hence, the total solids contents of fillers in these comparative compounds were increased. The obtained results demonstrate an interesting influence of the OC on the technical properties of silica-filled NR compounds. The role of OC becomes more explicit in terms of its influence on the filler-rubber and filler-filler interactions of silica-filled NR compounds. The final properties of the compounds are mainly influenced by these two factors. The decrease in filler-rubber interaction could be the result of the OC particles obstructing silica clusters during the mixing process, leading to a shielding effect that hinders the silanization reaction, and so a reduced extent of filler-rubber interaction. This in turn results in a lower apparent crosslink density of the final vulcanizates. The improvement in overall properties of the final vulcanizates when adding OC up to 9 wt% relative to the total fillers content, in particular for tensile strength, tear strength and abrasion resistance, is mainly attributed to improved micro-dispersion of the fillers caused by the hybridization effect of OC. The dynamic mechanical properties of the vulcanizates are in line with this interpretation.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 25 Nov 2022 |
Event | International Rubber Conference, IRC 2022 - Bengalore, India Duration: 24 Nov 2022 → 26 Nov 2022 |
Conference
Conference | International Rubber Conference, IRC 2022 |
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Abbreviated title | IRC 2022 |
Country/Territory | India |
City | Bengalore |
Period | 24/11/22 → 26/11/22 |
Keywords
- Reinforcement
- filler
- nanomaterials
- elastomer
- tire tread