RIEG meeting on Fillers In Rubber
This afternoon technical discussion meeting focused on the use of fillers in the rubber industry
Programme
Joseph Hallett (Columbian Chemicals Co) "Effects of Filler Morphology and Loading on Tire Innerliner Permeability: A Computational Study" (pdf file 2.1MB)
The loss of air or nitrogen from tires during use leads to underinflated operation and higher rolling resistance, causing poor fuel economy and decreased tire durability. Filler particles in tire innerliners play a primary role in slowing the loss of tire pressure by serving as obstructions in the path of migrating air molecules. In this study, permeability is related to shortest distance path lengths and statistical random walk path lengths for biased systems and determined as a function of filler size, distribution and loading. Insights into rubber compounds having optimized permeability characteristics are discussed.
Mukund Tiwari, Ko Arts, Gerard van den Hondel, (Teijin Aramid, The Netherlands) "Sulfron for tan delta reduction in Mechanical Rubber Goods" PART 1 (pdf file 1.1MB); Part 2 (pdf file 1.2MB)
Sulfron is based on modified Aramid fibres. The chief property of Sulfron is the lowering of tan delta of (Carbon Black) filled rubbers by interacting with the filler surface. Less hysteresis means lower Heat Build Up or lower energy loss in dynamically loaded parts. Sulfron is easy to use though compounding requires specific attention to certain points.
David Lowe, Andrew Chapman and Stuart Cook (TARRC) "Organoclay Nanocomposites by In Situ Modification” (pdf file 5.6MB)
Nanocomposites produced by organic modification of clay during mixing into Natural Rubber are examined. The NR / oragano-montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites show increased intercalation and exfoliation as modifier content is increased. Comparison with nominally identical pre-modified OMMT showed similar microstructures and physical properties. Unmodified sepiolite disperses well in NR, so even though the organo-modification improves the compatibility with the rubber it does not significantely enhance nanocomposite microstructure.
Laurent Guy and S Daudey (Rhodia SILICA) "Silica systems to modulate the compromise reinforcement / hysteresis for the silica filled elastomers" (pdf file 2.7MB)
The use of highly dispersible silica has let to the development of Passenger Car tyres with a reduced rolling resistance and hence a lower carbon footprint. In this presentation, the management of the silica chemistry allows a modulation of the compromise between reinforcement and hysteresis. Some examples using Rhodia's specific silica technology in synthetic rubber compounds will be shared.