Rubber-Filler Interactions and Its Effect in Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Filled Compounds

Abstract This paper will set out a brief review of the needs, early development, and current status of the nature of the interactions between rubber matrix and particulate filler and the intrinsic effect on mechanical and rheological behavior of filled vulcanizates. Fillers are commonly added to commercial elastomers for reasons of economy and also to favourably modify properties such as stiffness, tensile strength, heat distortion, mouldability, and other important properties, such as impact properties and elongation to break. The behavior of elastomers reinforcing with certain fillers like carbon black or high-structure silica need to be understood deeply to clarify the rubber-filler interaction and its effect on rheological and mechanical properties of filled rubber compounds. In this paper the nature of interaction between the elastomer and filler particles, the types of reinforcing fillers, the effect of its size and structure, the reinforcing concepts, and the mechanical properties of filled rubber are discussed.