The properties of technical rubber compounds and their vulcanizates depend not only on the polymer but also to a significant degree on the other ingredients and their proportions. Among these ingredients, fillers are very important. Without reinforcing fillers (white fillers or carbon black), the manufacture of serviceable vulcanizates from polymers that are not self reinforcing, such as natural rubber and many synthetic rubbers, is impossible. Vulkasil® is produced from aqueous sodium silicate solution by precipitation with acids or metal salt solutions (aluminium sulfate). The mechanical properties of rubber compounds, such as hardness, modulus, strength, tear propagation resistance and abrasion resistance, are improved, and the use of different colors is possible. Vulkasil® fillers are used together with other white fillers, such as china clay and talc, for various vulcanizates needing particularly good resistance to aging. The resistance of the resulting vulcanizates to hot air aging is often superior to that of goods produced with carbon black. Precipitated silica plays an important part in the bonding of rubber to fabric or to steel cord. Key Properties - Fillers with medium to strong reinforcing effect
- improved resistance to hot air aging and abrasion
- improved bonding of rubber to fabric or to steel cord
Information provided by Lanxess. |