Study on the effect of modified and unmoditied silica on the properties of natural rubber vulcanizates

Abstract

In the article, the effects of silica (Silicon oxide) on some properties of natural rubber (NR) were studied. Silica used are unmodified (SIKBT) and modified with triethoxi silane propyl tetrasunfate (SiBT). It is shown SiBT increases vulcanization network density (VND), so it enhances strength and elastic properties of NR. In contrary, SiKBT decreases VND and reduces, but has almost no effect on strength of NR. Silica, both modified and unmodified, are assumed to improve network regularity of NR that change thermal degradation behavior of materials and keep the strength of NR-SiKBT compound unchanged.