AbstractThe study of the type and strength of the filler-polymer linkages is of great importance in understanding the reinforcement of elastomers. Silicone rubbers are weak elastomers and the addition of reinforcing fillers is essential in order to obtain useful, strong materials. The best reinforcing filler for these elastomers are fumed silicas. These fillers, like reinforcing carbon blacks, have very complex structures. Both have fractal characteristics, small particles fused together forming open aggregates that can cluster by physical forces. Silicas have sometimes more complex structures than carbon blacks, but have a better understood surface chemistry. Interactions between polydimethylsiloxanes and silica surfaces have been studied using heat of adsorption measurements of mostly low molecular weight analogs or inferring the strength of the adsorption by the shift of particular peaks in the infrared spectrum [1]. Here we will present a new technique that measures directly the strength of the adsorption of the polymer segments onto glass and between themselves. It also allows for comparison of the strength of such bonds with the strength of a polymer entanglement “link”.
Higher prices for specialty carbon blacks plus surcharges for European products
