Abstract
Precipitated silica, china clay and whiting were incorporated in NR latex compounds up to 20 phr and prevulcanized at 70°C for 2 h. Cast films were prepared and the effect of leaching in water on mechanical properties evaluated. Rubber-filler interaction, ageing resistance, stress relaxation and morphology of the leached films were also studied. Presence of precipitated silica, china clay and whiting decreased tensile strength and elongation at break but increased the modulus of the prevulcanized latex film. Leaching of the films improved the properties. The presence of precipitated silica and china clay improved the tear strength of the films. Ageing resistance was also increased by the presence, of up to 10 phr, of precipitated silica. The rate of stress relaxation was slightly higher for the film containing precipitated silica followed by those containing china clay and whiting. Morphology of the films revealed uniform distribution of fillers in the rubber matrix.
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