Abstract
Silica fillers are often added to elastomer to improve performance in commercial applications. Mixing with different nanofillers in the presence of different curative systems is expected to improve interchain crosslinking between the filler and the elastomer. ZnO is a common curative for many functional elastomers, the authors have tried the possibility of using nanosilica filler and surface modified (Zn ion coated) nanosilica filler in the presence of different curative systems. The surface modified silica offers good results in the development of advanced materials for enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability. The use of Zn ion coated nanosilica filler led to an increase in the adhesion at interfaces between the modified filler and elastomer matrix. The modified nanosilica filler (Zn ion coated), showed high tensile strength, tensile modulus, hardness, thermal stability and dynamic modulus in the presence of ammonium benzoate curative system as compared to hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and 4,4′ methylene-bis-(cyclohexalaminecarbamate) (diak IV). The modified silica filler containing composites clearly revealed the predominant interfacial adhesion rather than chemical crosslinking in the presence of ammonium benzoate curative system.
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