Abstract:
The silica/natural rubber (SiO
2/NR) composites was prepared by wet mixing technology with liquid natural rubber (LNR) as compatibilizer. The tensile fracture surface morphology, Payne effect, glass transition temperature (
Tg), bound rubber contents and crosslink density of SiO
2/NR composites were characterized by SEM, rubber processing analyzer (RPA), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), swelling method and nuclear magnetic resonance instrument. The effect of LNR on the rubber-filler interaction was also investigated. The results show that SiO
2 particles are tightly encompassed by NR and fracture surfaces appear toughness fracture in the presence of LNR. The Payne effect of SiO
2/NR composites is obviously decreased under certain amount of silica SiO
2.
Tg is observed from -59.57℃ to -56.61℃ and bound rubber content is observed from 40.24% to 44.02% when the mass ratio of SiO
2 to NR is 60:100. The interfacial interaction of SiO
2/NR composites quantitatively evaluated by Lorenz-Park equation is strengthened in the presence of LNR. Nuclear magnetic resonance test shows that the crosslink density has great enhancements and transverse relaxation time (
T2) decrease for modified SiO
2/NR composites,
T2 decreases 4.20 ms, 5.84 ms and 7.86 ms when the mass ratio of SiO
2 to NR are 30:100, 50:100 and 70:100, respectively, which can be ascribed to the stronger filler-rubber interfacial interaction that limites the extensibility of NR chains with incorporation of LNR. It is revealed that LNR has good compatibility, which contributes to strengthening interfacial interaction of SiO
2/NR composites.