Effect of Heat Treatment on Reinforcing Properties of Carbon Black

Abstract

Abstract The high degree of stiffness or modulus which reinforcing carbon blacks impart to rubber has often been associated with reinforcement. Modulus appears to be associated with the chemical nature of the carbon black surface ; when the carbon black surface is cleaned of combined oxygen and hydrogen, a drastic drop in modulus occurs, and this is not accompanied by an equally drastic decrease in tire road wear. Reinforcing and semireinforcing carbon blacks have been heat-treated at successive increments through a temperature range of 1000° to 2700° C. Treatment up to 1500° results in removal of all combined oxygen and hydrogen, followed by an increasing degree of graphitization at higher temperatures. These carbon blacks have been compounded in a standard natural-rubber compound and properties evaluated. Modulus is profoundly altered by the chemistry of the carbon surface. Electrical resistivity passes through a minimum at 1500° C. Scorchiness or premature vulcanization improves with removal of volatile matter. The degree of graphitization of the carbon has only a minor effect on rubber properties. A highly graphitized carbon black still imparts a high degree of resistance to abrasive wear to tire treads.