Effect of silane coupling agent on the polymer‐filler interaction and mechanical properties of silica‐filled NR

The effects of filler loading and a new silane coupling agent 3‐octanoylthio‐1‐ propyltriethoxysilane (NXT silane) on the polymer‐filler interaction and mechanical properties of silica‐filled and carbon black‐filled natural rubber (NR) compounds were studied. Silica (high dispersion silica7000GR, VN2, and VN3) and carbon black (N330) were used as the fillers, and the loading range was from 0 to 50 phr. The loading of NXT silane was from 0 to 6 phr. Experimental results show that the maximum and minimum torques of silica and carbon black‐filled NR increase with increasing filler loading. With increasing filler loading, the scorch time and optimum cure time decrease for carbon black‐filled NR, but increase for silica‐filled NR. The minimum torque, scorch time, and optimum cure time decrease because of the presence of NXT silane. For the carbon black and silica‐filled NR, the tensile strength and elongation at break have maximum values, but the hardness, M300, M100, and tear strength keep increasing with filler loading. The mechanical properties of silica‐filled NR were improved in the presence of NXT silane. With increasing filler loading, the storage modulus of filled NR increases, but the loss factor decreases. Carbon black shows the strongest polymer‐filler interaction, followed by VN3, 7000GR, and VN2. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 573–584, 2005     

Comparison of reinforcing efficiency between Si-69 and Si-264 in a conventional vulcanization system

Silica has long been recognized as a reinforcing filler, especially for light colored products. The degree of reinforcement is noticeably increased when silica is used in combination with silane coupling agent. Therefore, various types of silane coupling agents are now commercially available. In the present study, two types of silane coupling agents, e.g., bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfane (Si-69) and 3-thiocyanatopropyl triethoxy silane (Si-264) were selected for comparison of their reinforcing efficiency in a conventional vulcanization (CV) system. The results reveal that the addition of silane coupling agent not only improves compound processability, but also enhances the mechanical properties of the rubber vulcanizates. Compared with Si-69, Si-264 gives rubber compounds with better processability due to its greater ability to promote filler dis-agglomeration during mixing. In addition, Si-264 also imparts a greater degree of reinforcement. This might be attributed to the combined effects of better rubber–filler interaction, better filler dispersion and higher state of cure which are obtained when Si-69 is replaced with Si-264. The dynamic properties of the rubber vulcanizates are also improved with the presence of silane coupling agent. In this aspect, Si-69 performs better than Si-264 as it provides rubber vulcanizates with lower heat build-up.     

Payne effect in silica‐filled styrene–butadiene rubber: Influence of surface treatment

The nonlinear effect at small strains (Payne effect) has been investigated in the case of silica‐filled styrene‐butadiene rubber. The originality of this study lies in the careful preparation of samples in order to fix all parameters except one, that is, the modification of the silica surface by grafting silane (introduced at different concentrations) via reactive mixing. The organosilane can be either a coupling or a covering surface treatment with an octyl alkyl chain. A careful morphological investigation has been performed prior to mechanical characterization and silica dispersion was found to be the same whatever the type and the amount of silane. The increasing amount of covering agents was found to reduce the amplitude of the Payne effect. A similar decrease is observed for low coupling agent concentration. At higher concentrations, the evolution turns through an increase due to the contribution of the covalent bonds between the matrix and the silica acting as additional crosslinking. The discussion of the initial modulus was done in the frame of both the filler–filler and filler–polymer models. It is unfortunately not possible to distinguish both scenarios, because filler–filler and filler–matrix interactions are modified in the same manner by the grafting covering agent. On the other hand, the reversible decrease of the modulus versus strain (Payne effect) is interpreted in terms of debonding of the polymeric chains from the filler surface. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 286–298, 2007     

Plasma polymerization of acetylene onto silica: an approach to control the distribution of silica in single elastomers and immiscible blends

Surface modification of silica by acetylene plasma polymerization is applied in order to improve the dispersion in and compatibility with single rubbers and their blends. Silica, used as a reinforcing filler for elastomers, is coated with a polyacetylene (PA) film under vacuum conditions. Water penetration measurements show a change in surface energy due to the PA‐film deposition. The weight loss measured by thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) is higher for the PA‐coated silica compared to the untreated filler, confirming the deposition of the PA film on the silica surface. Time of flight‐secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) shows the well‐defined PA cluster peaks in the high mass region. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements show silica aggregates, coalesced by the coating with smooth and uniform surfaces, but without significant change in specific surface area. Elemental analysis by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements also confirms the deposition of the polymeric film on the silica surface, as the carbon content is increased. The performance of single polymers and their incompatible blends based on S‐SBR and EPDM, filled with untreated, PA‐ and silane‐treated silica, is investigated by measurements of the bound rubber content, weight loss related to bound rubber, cure kinetics, reinforcement parameter, Payne effect, and mechanical properties. The PA‐ and silane‐modified silica‐filled pure S‐SBR and EPDM samples show a lower filler–filler networking compared to the unmodified silica‐filled elastomers. Decrease in the reinforcement parameter (α_F) for the plasma‐polymerized silica‐filled samples also proves a better dispersion compared to silane‐modified and untreated silica‐filled samples. On the other hand, the PA‐silica‐filled samples show a higher bound rubber content due to stronger filler–polymer interactions. Finally, the PA‐silica‐filled pure EPDM and S‐SBR/EPDM blends show high tensile strength and elongation at break values, considered to be the result of best dispersion and compatibilization with EPDM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of the viscoelastic behaviour of silica filled rubber: prediction of the interphase properties

The aim of this work is to analyse the influence of both silica content and the presence of a silane coupling agent on the viscoelastic behaviour of silica filled rubber. It is well-known that changes in the dynamic mechanical properties of filled rubber could result from either the mechanical coupling between phases and/or interface effects. Micro mechanical modelling, taking morphological analysis into account, will be used to separate these two effects and allows us to assess the actual properties of the polymer close to the silica surface.     

Filler‐polymer interactions of styrene and butadiene units in silica‐filled styrene–butadiene rubber compounds

Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) is a copolymer of styrene and butadiene, and the butadiene unit is composed of cis‐1,4‐, trans‐1,4‐, and 1,2‐components. Filler‐polymer interactions of each component of SBR in silica‐filled SBR compounds were examined by microstructure analysis of the bound and unbound rubbers. The composition ratio of butadiene and styrene units (butadiene/styrene) of the bound rubber was higher than that of the compounded rubber. Of the butadiene units, the 1,2‐component of the bound rubber was more abundant than the cis‐1,4‐ and trans‐1,4‐components. The filler‐polymer interaction of the butadiene unit with silica was stronger than that of the styrene unit, and the interaction of the 1,2‐component was stronger as compared with the others. The butadiene–styrene ratio of the bound rubber of the compounds containing the silane coupling agent was lower than for the compounds without the silane. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 577–584, 2004     

改性低分子量聚异戊二烯橡胶的合成与应用

采用阴离子溶液聚合法合成了低分子量3,4-聚异戊二烯(LPI), 并对其进行改性, 制备了硅氧烷改性的低分子量3,4-聚异戊二烯(MLPI), 将其应用于白炭黑补强的溶聚丁苯橡胶(SSBR)复合材料, 探究了端基改性物LPI-丙基甲基二甲氧基硅烷(LPI-CMDS)、 LPI-丙基三甲氧基硅烷(LPI-CTMS)、 LPI-丙基三乙氧基硅烷(LPI-CTES)和接枝改性物3-巯丙基三乙氧基硅烷接枝改性LPI(LPI-g-MTS)对SSBR复合材料中白炭黑的分散以及硫化胶性能的影响. 混炼胶的应变扫描和结合胶含量分析结果表明, MLPI增强了填料与聚合物之间的相互作用, 改善了白炭黑在复合材料中的分散, 其中LPI-g-MTS因活性位点多, 效果最佳; 与填充LPI的复合材料相比, 硫化胶的物理机械性能, 尤其是填充LPI-g-MTS后硫化胶的300%定伸应力和拉伸强度分别提升了89.66%和27.15%, 这为改善白炭黑在非极性橡胶中的分散提供了一条新途径.     

Improvement of properties of silica-filled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds using acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene rubber (NSBR)

Since silica has strong filler–filler interactions and adsorbs polar materials, a silica-filled rubber compound wil have poor dispersion of the filler and a poor cure characteristic. Improvement of properties of silica-filled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds has been studied using emulsion SBR-based acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene rubber (NSBR). The silica dispersion is improved by adding NSBR to the compound. The bound rubber content increases with increase in the NSBR content. The scorch time and cure rate become faster as the NSBR content increases. The crosslink density also increases by increasing the NSBR content. The wear property is improved by adding the NSBR. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Silica dispersion and properties of silica filled ESBR/BR/NR ternary blend composites by applying wet masterbatch technology

Silica is used as a reinforcing filler in the rubber product such as a tire. When silica contents increased in the composite, deterioration of the processability and silica dispersion in silica-rubber composites cannot be overcome only by adding a silane coupling agent. Therefore, silica wet-masterbatch (WMB) technology is considered for manufacturing highly silica filled composites. Herein, we investigated silica dispersion, cure behavior, mechanical properties, abrasion characteristics, and viscoelastic properties of 3 types of WMB blend composites. Up to 82% improvement in silica dispersion was determined by the Payne effect and confirmed by atomic-force microscopy. The tensile strength and elongation at break increased and tan δ at 60 °C decreased by improving silica dispersion. The silica WMB is suitable for manufacturing highly silica filled composites.     

3-己酰基硫代-1-丙基三乙氧基硅烷的合成及其在SSBR/SiO2复合体系中偶联效果研究

以γ-巯丙基三乙氧基硅烷与己酰氯为单体,在N2保护与低温下合成偶联剂3-己酰基硫代-1-丙基三乙氧基硅烷(HXT),将HXT与双-(3-乙氧基硅基丙基)二硫化物(TESPD)分别添加于溶液聚合丁苯橡胶(SSBR)/SiO2混炼胶复合体系中.采用流变学方法表征复合体系的动态粘弹行为,发现HXT可改善填料和基体的相互作用,有效阻止SiO2粒子在加工过程中的团聚.与TESPD相比较,含HXT体系具有较高“Payne效应”临界应变值.     

Roles of silane coupling agents on properties of silica-filled polychloroprene

Silane coupling agent is used extensively to improve reinforcing efficiency of silica. Recently, many types of silane coupling agents have been developed and their roles on reinforcing improvement have been studied in many types of rubbers. In the present study, roles of the two widely used silane coupling agents, i.e., bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfane (Si-69) and 3-thiocyanatopropyl triethoxy silane (Si-264) were studied in silica-filled polychloroprene (CR). The results reveal that the presence of Si-69 and Si-264 improves significantly the processability of the rubber compounds. The improvement is more pronounced for Si-264 due to its lower molecular weight and, thus, viscosity. Surprisingly, the results show that Si-69 and Si-264 affect cure characteristics differently, i.e., Si-69 somewhat retards cure while Si-264 accelerates cure. However, both Si-69 and Si-264 result in an increased crosslink density of the vulcanizates. The presence of silane coupling agent also enhances the mechanical properties of the vulcanizates due to the combined effects of better filler dispersion, better rubber-filler interaction and increased crosslink density. A thorough look at the results also reveals that the property enhancement is obvious only at low silane loading (approximately 1.5 phr). Further increase of silane loading generally has little influence on properties of the vulcanizates. In the case of Si-264, excessive use of silane could impair certain properties such as modulus and hardness due to the plasticizing effect. Compared with Si-264, Si-69 imparts the rubber vulcanizates with poorer aging resistance. Explanation goes to the sulfur contribution effect of Si-69.     

Highly enhanced electrical and mechanical properties of methyl methacrylate modified natural rubber filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Developing conductive networks in a polymer matrix with a low percolation threshold and excellent mechanical properties is desired for soft electronics applications. In this work, natural rubber (NR) functionalized with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was prepared for strong interfacial interactions with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), resulting in excellent performance of the natural rubber nanocomposites. The MWCNT and methyl methacrylate functional groups gave good filler dispersion, conductivity and tensile properties. The filler network in the matrix was studied with microscopy and from its non-linear viscoelasticity. The Maier-Göritze approach revealed that MWCNT network formation was favored in the NR functionalized with PMMA, with reduced electrical and mechanical percolation thresholds. The obvious improvement in physical performance of MWCNT/methyl methacrylate functionalized natural rubber nanocomposites was caused by interfacial interactions and reduced filler agglomeration in the NR matrix. The modification of NR with poly(methyl methacrylate) and MWCNT filler was demonstrated as an effective pathway to enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of natural rubber nanocomposites.     

The effects of a silane coupling agent on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of bamboo fibre filled natural rubber composites

The effects of a silane coupling agent on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of bamboo fibre filled natural rubber composites were studied. Scorch time, t₂ and cure time, t₉₀ of the composites decrease with increasing filler loading and with the presence of a silane coupling agent, Si69. Mooney viscosity also increases with increasing filler loading but at a similar filler loading shows lower value with the presence of Si69. The mechanical properties of composites viz tensile strength, tear strength, hardness and tensile modulus were also improved with the addition of Si69.     

Improvement of properties of silica‐filled styrene‐butadiene rubber composites through plasma surface modification of silica

The performance of plasma surface modified silica filler in styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix has been analyzed. The conditions of plasma modification have been optimized by taking secant modulus as a standard parameter and the occurrence of the modification has been confirmed by surface area determination and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The plasma‐modified surface of silica has been found to be composed of carbon–carbon double bonds and carbon–hydrogen bonds. Silane treatment also has been carried out on silica filler surface for a comparative assessment of its influence in the curing behavior and filler–rubber interaction. The cure reactions of all the rubber compounds have been found to be proceeded according to first‐order kinetics. A reduction in the cure reaction rate constant has been observed with the loading of unmodified and surface modified silica, emphasizing the cure deactivation of the matrix rubber by the silica filler. The filler dispersion, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, has been found to be greatly improved by the plasma as well as silane treatment. The filler–rubber interaction has been found to be greatly improved by both surface treatments, but the best balance of mechanical properties has been observed with plasma surface modification only. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of filler type and content on properties of styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) compound reinforced with carbon black or silica

Rubber compounds are filled with reinforcing fillers to improve their physical properties. Carbon black and silica have different surface chemistries to each other. Differences in properties of carbon black‐ and silica‐reinforced styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds were studied. Variation of properties of carbon black‐ or silica‐filled compounds with the filler content was also investigated. The silica‐filled compounds without any coupling agent and dispering agent were prepared to investigate the influence of polar materials‐adsorption on the silica surface. Viscosity and crosslink density increased with increase of the filler content. Hardness, modulus, tensile strength, and wear property were improved more and more by increasing the filler content. Viscosity of the silica‐filled compound was higher than that of the carbon black‐filled one. Cure rate of the silica‐filled compound became slower as the filler content increased, while that of the carbon black‐filled one became faster. Difference in properties between the carbon black‐ and silica‐filled compounds were explained by the poor silica dispersion and the adsorption of cure accelerator on the silica surface. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Viscoelastic behaviour of silica filled natural rubber composites – Correlation of shear with elongational testing

Dynamic mechanical behaviour of natural rubber-silica composites was studied by a frequency sweep method at different temperatures (40 °C,70 °C and 100 °C) using a dynamic mechanical analyzer and a rotorless rheometer, RPA, in an attempt to establish a correlation between the two. The composites with silica content up to 40 phr were studied. It was found that the dependence of dynamic modulus on the frequency as obtained from both the instruments followed a similar trend. This suggests that the dynamic mechanical properties of rubber compounds can be determined even during curing. A correlation could be arrived at between the two sets of data, making it possible to predict one set knowing the other. The impact of silane coupling agent, bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl tetrasulphide), TESPT, on viscoelasticity was also investigated. The mechanical properties were improved in the presence of TESPT. Additionally, an increase in thermal stability was also observed in the presence of TESPT. Scanning electron micrographs showed the better filler dispersion in the case of silane-coupled silica composites.     

Effect of filling mixtures of sepiolite and a surface modified fumed silica on the mechanical and swelling behavior of a styrene-butadiene rubber

A styrene-butadiene copolymer is filled with mixtures of pyrogenic silica combined with a silane coupling agent and fibers of organophilic sepiolite. The mechanical properties of the composites reveal that a mixture of double fillers impart to the elastomeric matrix a higher degree of reinforcement than that which would result from a simple addition of the two types of fillers. The swelling ratio of the composite containing the two types of fillers was found to highly decrease with regard to the pure polymer reflecting strong interactions with the matrix. The changes in the state of dispersion by adding the second filler were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy.     

Rheological analysis as a means for determining the silane crosslink network structure and content in crosslinked polymer composites

For evaluating the crosslink content of a polymer, gel content determination is a commonly used method. However, for crosslinked polymer composites containing particulate filler, the gel content may be overestimated due to partly trapping filler inside the gel portion. In this paper, parallel-plate rheology was used, together with the gel determination and FTIR measurement, for determining the silane crosslink network structure and content in crosslinked ethylene–octene copolymer composites. The effects of filler surface property on structure and content of silane crosslink are also discussed. The results show that a correlation plot between gel content, IR absorption index and crosslink density provides useful information on changes in silane network structure and properties of the crosslinked composites. The network structure formed (loose or tight network) shows a strong influence on the final tensile properties of the crosslinked products.     

Development of Natural Rubber-Fibrous Nano Clay Attapulgite Composites: The Effect of Chemical Treatment of Filler on Mechanical and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Composites

Common nano clay fillers have layered structure. Some nano clays like Attapulgite (AT), Sepiolite have rod like fibrous structure. Compared to layered structured clay fibrous clay AT can undergo better dispersion in polymer matrix leading to better improvement in composite properties. Chemical modifications of AT are done through amine treatment as well as by amine+silane treatment to get chemically modified fillers AAT and SAT respectively. In the present investigation, nano composites are prepared using natural rubber (NR) filled with AT, AAT and SAT. Three different loadings of each filler are used namely 2.5, 5, and 10 phr (parts per hundred of rubber). Mechanical properties like tensile strength, elongation at break increase with the increase in filler loading up to 5 phr there after these properties marginally fall when loading is increased to 10 phr due to problem of filler dispersion at higher loading. However, modulus at 300% elongation and tear strength increases with the increase in filler loading up to 10 phr. Very similar trend can also be observed for composites with chemically modified fillers, AAT and SAT. But the degree of reinforcement is higher in the case of AAT and SAT compared to that of unmodified filler AT for the same filler loading. This difference is mainly due to better polymer-filler interaction and filler dispersion in the case of chemically modified clays AAT and SAT compared to unmodified AT. Tear strength of composites increases remarkably with the addition of AT and which is further enhanced when chemically modified clays AAT and SAT are added. Dynamic-mechanical analyses of different clay composites give idea about the difference in the degree of polymer–filler interaction due to chemical treatment of filler.     

白炭黑增强型硅橡胶的组成及抗原子氧性能分析

为明确空间级硅橡胶的化学组成及填料添加对材料物理性能的影响, 采用填料复合方式制备硅橡胶高聚物材料, 并通过化学成分测试、 原子氧暴露试验及力学性能测试等研究其结构组成与物理性能. 经微观粒径测试得出硅橡胶中白炭黑填料粒径主要分布在8~16 μm; 经傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、 核磁共振波谱( ¹H NMR和 ²⁹Si NMR)和溶胶凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)测试得出硅橡胶中含有Si—Me, Si—Ph, Si—O—Si等基团和甲基、 苯基等官能团, 其分子量分散系数为1.56, 并进一步推断出硅橡胶的分子结构及基胶与交联剂的反应类型为脱羟胺型; 经原子氧暴露试验及力学试验证实, 与未改性白炭黑填充的硅橡胶高聚物材料相比, 经硅烷改性白炭黑填充的硅橡胶高聚物材料表现出更好的抗原子氧性能, 动态力学测试后储能模量高54%, 并具有更好的应力应变响应性能. 研究结果表明, 采用表面改性处理方式可增强填料与硅橡胶基质的相互作用, 从而提高填料复合型硅橡胶高聚物材料的抗原子氧性能及综合力学性能.