Autohesion and adhesion in filled elastomers,the role of mechanical breakdown processes

The paper discusses the influence of fillers on formation of the contact surface and on interface action in autohesive and adhesive joining of elastomers and plasticates. The formulated laws and effects refer to intensification of the mechanical breakdown of the elastomer during milling, accompanied by modification of its molecular structure as well as adsorption and binding of the macromolecules plus formation of elastomer-filler gels. The information shows that fillers are capable of either impairing or improving the autohesive and adhesive properties of the compound, according to the relative contribution of two opposing processes: reduction (to a certain limit) of the molecular weight, whereby the molecular contact is increased, and interdiffusion or adsorptive binding of the macromolecules accompanied by gel formation, whereby the autohesive and adhesive properties are impaired. The oxidation associated with mechanical breakdown intensifies interface action, but retards the rheological processes of contact-surface formation.