Effects of Rubber—Filler Interaction on the Developments of Physical, Mechanical, and Interfacial Properties of Vamac—Silica Nano-composites

Abstract

Vamac GR is generally cured by amine curative systems but in some cases peroxide is also used. Here both the curative systems amine (DPG and MDA) as well as peroxide (Varox DCP 40C) have been used. Mixing with different nanofillers in the presence of different curative systems is expected to improve interchain cross-linking between the filler and the elastomer. ZnO is a common curative for many functional elastomers. The possibility of using nanosilica filler and surface modified (Zn-ion coated) nanosilica filler has been tried. The surface modified silica offers good results in the development of advanced materials for enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability. The use of Zn-ion coated nanosilica filler leads to an increase of the adhesion at the interfaces between the modified filler and the elastomer matrix. The modified nanosilica filler (Zn-ion coated) shows higher mechanical properties, thermal stability, as well as higher dynamic modulus in comparison to the peroxide curative system. The modified silica filler containing composites clearly reveals the predominant interfacial adhesion rather than chemical cross-linking in the presence of an amine curative system.