Lubrication and plasticization behavior of large-size micro-spherical structured SiO₂ for natural rubber

In many rubber dynamic applications such as tires and seals, imparting excellent flex fatigue properties and processing behavior are of prime importance. Research in this direction has been done based on a judicious choice of polymer type or a blend thereof and the compounding ingredients. In this study, the effect of micro-spherical SiO₂ on the flex fatigue properties and processing behavior of natural rubber (NR) is studied. Two different particle sizes of spherical SiO₂ (N90, average diameter: 200 nm and N98, average diameter: 120 nm) were used to optimize the flex fatigue properties and processing behavior, and the mechanism is investigated. In this blend, 5 phr loading of N90 was effective in imparting the best overall combination of properties. This work was aimed at providing some theoretical basis and application basis for the use of micro-spherical SiO₂ in the rubber industry.