Silica dispersion in styrene butadiene rubber composites studied by synchrotron tomography
By means of synchrotron X-ray computed tomography, model composites consisting of silica and styrene–butadiene rubber were studied with a very high spatial resolution. By our analysis technique we were able to determine the nano- and micro dispersion from the experimental results by our numerical an...
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Published in | Journal of non-crystalline solids Vol. 358; no. 3; pp. 557 - 563 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford
Elsevier B.V
01.02.2012
Elsevier |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | By means of synchrotron X-ray computed tomography, model composites consisting of silica and styrene–butadiene rubber were studied with a very high spatial resolution. By our analysis technique we were able to determine the nano- and micro dispersion from the experimental results by our numerical analysis. These results are discussed with respect to crucial advantages of the generically 3-dimensional tomography technique as compared to 2-dimensional methods. Our quantitative analysis of the 3d images demonstrates that in the case of our model composites the filler dispersion is good, independent on the filler concentration. Our new 3-dimensional results evidence that considering only 2-d pictures may lead to ambiguities that can lead to wrong conclusions.
► 3-d analysis of silica-filled rubber achieved by means of Synchrotron tomography. ► Analysis reveals silica micro- and nano-dispersion in the rubber matrix. ► A percolated network is witnessed in 3-d images, yet invisible in 2-d analyses. ► Nanodispersion is best at the lowest and highest filler volume fractions. ► This is rationalized by a cluster breakdown due to mechanical stresses. |
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ISSN: | 0022-3093 1873-4812 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2011.10.009 |