Comparison of silane treatment methods on filler reinforcement in rubber composties
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Date
2017-07
Authors
Azila Binti Anuar
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the performance of different silane
treatment methods to assess the optimum methods for improvement of interfacial bonding
between fillers and matrix. The methods used were dry method, aqueous method and melt
blending method. In order to check the effectiveness of the applied methods for surface
modification of fillers, three different types of fillers: silica (nano size), ferrite (macro
size), and kenaf (fibers) were investigated. Evidence that silane linkages between fillers
and rubber matrix had occurred was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR). Crosslink density assessment by swelling test provided evidence that the
tetrasulphane group of bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulphane (TESPT) formed
crosslink with the rubber molecular chains. Morphology of the fracture surface of the
rubber with untreated and treated filler was examined using scanning electron microscope
(SEM). Tensile strength, elongation at break and M100 were measured using the
universal tensile tester. The results exhibited the advantages of TESPT as a coupling agent
between fillers and rubber matrix and also revealed that the dry method produced the
optimum interfacial bonding when compared with aqueous method and melt blending
metho