Properties of Natural Rubber Vulcanizates/Nanosilica Composites Prepared Based on the Method of In-situ Generation and Coagulation

Using the characteristics of silica sol dispersing well in water and easy formation of silica gel when the silica sol is heated, by mixing a system of concentrated natural rubber latex and silica sol, the silica sol can in-situ generate SiO2 particles when heated. After coagulation of the mixed system, natural rubber/nanosilica composites C(NR/nSiO2) were obtained. The composites C(NR/nSiO2) and their vulcanizates were studied using a rubber processing analyzer (RPA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of silica contents on the C(NR/nSiO2) vulcanizates mechanical properties, cross-linking degree, Payne effect, dissipation factor (tanδ), and the particle size and dispersion of SiO2 in NR were investigated. The results obtained were compared with the NR/SiO2 composites based on traditional dry mixing of bale natural rubber and precipitated silica (white carbon black). The results showed that when using a sulfur curing system with a silica coupling agent ...