Carbon Black and silica as reinforcers of rubber polymers

Abstract

We have used Doppler broadening spectroscopy to investigate the effects of filling various rubber polymers with different amounts and types of carbon blacks and of silica. Carbon Black has important reinforcing properties for rubbers used by the tyre industry specifically, therefore, understanding these properties is essential as well as critical. Silica is also being used as a rubber filler to replace or complement Carbon Black, and was also investigated. The S parameter was measured for various types of Carbon Black and silica as a function of the relative weight used in the samples. The behaviour of the S parameter was analysed in terms of positron annihilation and positronium formation for the various samples. Results show direct correlations between the S parameter and the various physical characteristics of Carbon Black and of silica.