The effect of coupling agents on silicate-based nanofillers/carbon black dual filler systems on the properties of a natural rubber/butadiene rubber compound

Nanofillers have been introduced a few years ago, but their application in elastomers is still a challenge. With the existing rubber processing equipment and constraints of rubber mixing, dispersion of nanofillers is difficult. The processability and performance of compounds containing plate- or tube-like silicates in a blend with conventional fillers, such as carbon black (CB), are investigated, and the effect of surface modification of the nanofillers is studied. Processing is facilitated by the replacement of CB by the nanofillers, but curing efficiency is reduced. The dispersion of the fillers is improved with the addition of nanofillers. The dynamic properties of the cured composite material are affected, giving the composite material lower hysteresis, while the mechanical properties are merely affected by the addition of nanofillers. Additionally, the filler–polymer interaction is increased. The addition of a compatibilizing and coupling agent, a silane, has only a minor effect and does not improve processing and properties significantly for these combined filler systems

Recovered carbon black; material characterization and in-rubber performance:Sustainable future of tire manufacturing

Carbon black is widely used as a reinforcing filler in tire industry.This project aims to recover high quality carbon black from used tires using a novel pyrolysis process. The influence of process temperature on the recovered carbon black(RCB) properties was studied. Pyrolysis was carried out using passenger car tire(PCT) feedstock at temperatures of 500°C(PCT500) and 550°C(PCT550). Material properties and in-rubber performance were compared to a reference carbonblack commonly used in tires

Plasma modification of polymeric single end cords as an alternative to RFL treatment

Adhesion between reinforcing fibers and the matrix is crucial for a good performance of a wide variety of elastomeric products. RFL treatment is most commonly used to achieve rubber-fiber adhesion for decades; however, there are health concerns related to this method. Therefore, alternative methods to partly or completely replace the RFL treatment are currently developed. A new approach for adhesion enhancement is plasma treatment of the fiber/cord. This process allows to physically and chemically modify the cord surface and thus to increase compatibility with and reactivity towards the elastomeric matrix. In this study, an atmospheric plasma jet was used to coat polymeric cord surfaces with an adhesive layer in a pilot-scale continuously operating line. The precursors used for the chemical surface modification of the cords carried sulfuric moieties and/or unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, to result in functional groups reactive towards the polymer after the plasma polymerization and deposition on the cord surface. The crucial components of the equipment, process parameters, and pre- as well as post-treatments were elaborated. The results in terms of cord properties as well as adhesion strength of different types of cords to an elastomeric compound will be discussed. Furthermore, an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the resulting cord/rubber interface in comparison to the industrial standard will be given