Effects of Magnesium Borate Whiskers on the Antiwear and Mechanical Performance of Natural Rubber

Abstract

Magnesium borate whiskers (MgBWs) are utilized to improve the antiwear and mechanical performance of natural rubber (NR). The results suggest that the wear resistance of the vulcanizates was increased significantly and the mechanical performance of the vulcanizates was increased to some extent with the inclusion of MgBW. Bis-(3-[triethoxysilyl]-propyl)-tetrasulfide (Si-69) and tea polyphenols (TPs) were used to improve the inferior interface between MgBW and the NR matrix and their effectiveness and the relationship of structures and the properties were explored. The micrographs illustrate that the interfacial interactions between the whiskers and matrix were obviously enhanced after surface modification by Si-69. With the incorporation of TP, the wear resistance of the vulcanizates was further increased. The present investigations attribute the improvement of antiwear properties of NR to the high antiwear ability of whiskers and the improved mechanical performance of the vulcanizates.