Visualization research of the fluorescent labeled filler network structure in silicone rubber.

The filler network structure of the silica-reinforced silicone rubber was simulated by using the rare earth europium complex sensitized fluorescence enhancement technique. The filler network structure, curing performance and dynamic mechanical properties of the silica-reinforced silicone rubber were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, rubber processing analyzer and solid rheological analyzer. The filler network connection rates of 30-60 parts of silica-filled silicone rubber were 31 %, 41 %, 58% and 70%, respectively, visualized by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The minimum torque (ML), characterization of filler-filler interaction, during the vulcanization process, the Payne effect and the shear storage modulus difference ΔG'(G'0--G'∞) in the strain sweep process were gradually increased. The results show that the filler network structure is gradually formed inside the silicone rubber with the increase of fillers, which is consistent with the obtained filler network connection rate, indicating that the combination of fluorescent labeling and laser scanning confocal microscopy can realize the visualization of the filler network structure in the silicone rubber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]