Abstract
Mullite (3A12O3·2SiO2) is an aluminosilicate ceramic of great technological importance. We investigated its potential as fillers in rubber. Mullites untreated or treated with 3% γ-mecapto-propyltrimethoxysilane (A-189) were added into styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) materials on a laboratory-sized two-roll mill. For comparison, commercial precipitated silica was also used. The effect of these fillers on the cure characteristics, processibility and mechanical properties of SBR at various loadings, ranging from 0 to 50 phr was investigated. The results showed that mullite was a semi-reinforcing filler for SBR materials and exhibits better overall cure properties, lower Mooney viscosity, lower tensile set, better resilience as compared to precipitated silica, while it is inferior to precipitated silica especially with regard to tensile strength, tear strength and abrasion resistance. The presence of the silane coupling agent can enhance mechanical properties of filled SBR vulcanizates to some extent.
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