Correlating the Crack Growth Resistance and Pattern in NR/ENR/SilicaSystem to the Silica Localization

Reinforcing particles depending on their specific physico-chemical characteristics play an indispensable role incontrolling the properties of rubber blends. The so-called Z-model could quantify the status of reinforcing fillerlocalization in each blend phase. Localization is responsible for the dynamic, mechanical and loss properties of theblend and it dictates the durability, wear and fatigue behavior. Here, the crack growth resistance and pattern isanalyzed using the trouser tearing geometry, at low and high level of silica loading, for a NR/ENR/Silica blend andthe result is compared to the system containing a single polymer type. Results indicated that blending is an effectiveway for enhancing crack growth resistance provided that the silica loading is kept low (i.e. ۵ phr). Tearing for theblend system was found to be a knotty type, which is a preferred type of tearing for preventing catastrophic crackgrowth. Utilization of the Z-model for the considered blend revealed a silica localization level of ۷۰:۳۰ betweenthe ENR and NR polymer type. For a blend system, the higher strength of polymer-silica interaction could triggera deviation in the path of a growing crack and it could impart a better crack growth behavior

کلیدواژه ها:

Rubber ، Crack Growth Pattern ، Filler Localization ، Z-model