Understanding the Mechanisms of Reinforcement in Rubber Composites by Controlling Filler Surface Energy

It has always been speculated that silane chain length dictates the properties of silane-treated silica filled polymers through two possible reinforcing mechanisms namely energetic interaction and/or mechanical engagement. Present contribution tries to realize the existence and severity of each mechanism by excluding mechanical contributions of reinforcement from that of energetic. Fillers of identical and diverse surface energies were prepared and incorporated into a rubber matrix. Having analyzed interactions using a temperature sweep in a small-strain oscillatory test and a nonlinear strain-sweep test, results indicated that the chain length of the silane controls composite properties through filler–filler energetic interaction; and no filler-polymer mechanical engagement may be expected from the chain length of silane

کلیدواژه ها:

Surface Energy ، Reinforcing Mechanisms ، Energetic Interaction ، Mechanical Engagement