Effect of Diameter and Surface Area of Carbon Black Particles on Certain Properties of Rubber Compounds

Abstract

Abstract Carbon blacks can be grouped into different classes according to the way in which their fineness of division relates to different properties in rubber. Within any one class the principal properties vary in a regular manner with particle size. The normal class consists of the furnace carbons, Kosmos (Dixie)-40, Statex, the rubber-grade impingement carbons, and possibly, the color-grade impingement carbons. The subnormal classes consist of thermal carbons and acetylene and lamp blacks. Irrespective of the above classification, the properties which depend more on fineness of division than on other factors are rebound resilience, abrasion resistance, tensile strength and tear resistance. The lower limit of particle diameter for best tensile strength and tear resistance appears to be higher than that for abrasion resistance. B.S.I, hardness and electrical conductivity are properties which depend at least as much on other factors as on particle size. Stiffness (modulus) depends more on other factors than on particle size. Factors modifying the effects of particle size (or specific surface) include the presence of carbon-carbon structures and a reduction in strength of bond in rubber-carbon structures. Carbon black is thought to exist in rubber in four states: agglomerated, flocculated, dispersed, and bonded to the rubber molecules (the reënforcing fraction). Abrasion resistance is regarded as providing the only reliable measure of reënforcement.