Partial replacement of silica with microcrystalline cellulose in rubber composites

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 40; no. 10; pp. 1597 - 1605
• Main Authors: Bai, Wen, Li, Kaichang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Microcrystalline cellulose; A. Rubber composites; Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; B. Mooney viscosity; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; A. Rubber composites; B. Mechanical properties; B. Mooney viscosity; A. Microcrystalline cellulose; Viscoelasticity; Microcrystalline material; Diene polymer; SBR; Carbon black; Cellulose; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Hardness; Experimental study; Silica; Composite material; Property formulation relationship; Vulcanization; Shear viscosity; Butadiene polymer; Tear strength; Apparent viscosity; Rheological properties
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.07.006

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was investigated to partially replace silica in rubber composites. The partial replacement of silica with MCC significantly reduced the energy required for dispersion of fillers in rubber matrix and lowered the internal temperature during the compounding. Moreover, the partial replacement of silica with MCC reduced Mooney viscosity, apparent shear stress, and apparent shear viscosity of the rubber composites, which facilitated the manufacturing process of the rubber composites. The replacement of up to 18% silica with MCC did not negatively affect the mechanical properties of the unaged and aged rubber composites. The partial replacement of silica with MCC also improved the heat resistance, did not significantly change the tan δ of rubber composites containing up to 11.8% of MCC at low temperature and decreased the tan δ of all rubber composites at high temperature. However, addition of MCC slightly decreased tear strength and hot tear strength of the rubber composites.