Rubber formulation Modulus

The use of silica in rubber mixes cannot be considered as new at all, because this filler has been used in rubber formulations since the beginning of the 20th century (Voet et al., 1977). Silicas are not reinforcing fillers in the proper sense, because silica-reinforced mixes exhibit much lower mechanical properties, particularly considering modulus at break and abrasion resistance. So silicas weren t used as reinforcing fillers but mainly in association with carbon black. 

Carbon black or silicas are added to rubber formulations to improve tear resistance and raise the modulus. 

Block copolymer chemistry and architecture is well described in polymer textbooks and monographs [40]. The block copolymers of PSA interest consist of anionically polymerized styrene-isoprene or styrene-butadiene diblocks usually terminating with a second styrene block to form an SIS or SBS triblock, or terminating at a central nucleus to form a radial or star polymer (SI) . Representative structures are shown in Fig. 5. For most PSA formulations the softer SIS is preferred over SBS. In many respects, SIS may be treated as a thermoplastic, thermoprocessible natural rubber with a somewhat higher modulus due to filler effect of the polystyrene fraction. Two longer reviews [41,42] of styrenic block copolymer PSAs have been published. 

The B-series of silica samples were also blended with rubber and the compound formulation is shown in Table 17.6. The uncured gums were then tested according to ISO 5794-2 1998. The uncured samples were tested using a Mooney viscometer and an RPA, which measures the dynamic mechanical properties as the samples cure. Figure 17.7 shows the results of these two tests for the Mooney viscosity at 100°C, storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan 8. 

For several years the bonding agents have consisted of proprietary polymer/solvent solutions, with a primer coat based on phenolic-style resins and a topcoat formed from solutions of polymers and other ingredients. The formulation of these materials is not disclosed, but much patent literature is available. Bond formation appears to be associated with the development of a very high modulus layer in the rubber immediately adjacent to the surface of the substrate. The thickness of the layer is of the order of 15 pm and... 

The use of liquid reactive rubbers to toughen thermosets leads to a decrease of both T — g and the Young s modulus (see Fig. 13.7). Thermoplastics can be added to these formulations to improve thermal and mechanical properties. 

To balance some of the drawbacks produced by the rubber toughening of thermosets, inorganic fillers that increase modulus and yield stress can be added to generate hybrid composites. Inorganic fillers such as glass beads, alumina, or silica - with high values of modulus and strength - are frequently included in thermoset formulations. 

The resins in the friction dust area tend to be rigid and the flexibility and plasticity associated with the long alkyl chain of phenolic lipids have been used in natural rubber vulcanisation by for example incorporating crosslinking with phosphorylated cardanol (ref. 252). Unpolymerised CNSL phenols have been used in natural or diene rubber compositions for tyre treads to give an improved dynamic elastic modulus but with the same hardness as formulations without the phenolic addition (ref. 253). 

Blends of polyolefins (e.g., HPDE/LDPE, LDPE/ ethylene copolymers, PP/EPDM, PP/HDPE/EPDM, HDPE/butyl rubber) have been commercial since the late 1960 s and early 1970 s. Specific film formulations were commonly based on polyolefin blends to achieve the proper balance of processing, environmental stress crack resistance, modulus, toughness, cling, transparency, filler acceptance, printability, tear resistance, shrinkage characteristics, and permeability. Ethylene-propylene mbber (EPR, EPDM) was commonly incorporated into polypropylene as an impact modifier at moderate levels and as a flexibilizer at high levels. One of... 

---