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TEM observation of silane coupling agent in silica-filled rubber tyre compound

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Abstract

The microdispersion of silica in filled elastomer vulcanisates was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)—network visualisation analysis. In this study, the silica is modified with a wide range of coupling and non-coupling silanes. The silica-filled elastomer samples were microtomed using a glass knife. The resulting TEM micrographs were interpreted and characterised based on aggregates with a cross-sectional area larger than 100 nm2. The study showed that silica surface modification has reduced the silica aggregate size by approximately 30–40% compared to an untreated silica-filled elastomer vulcanisate. The TEM micrographs showed evidence of coupling between silica and the elastomer phase and demonstrated a good estimation of silica microdispersion in the elastomer phase. This study has shown that the presence of different surface functionalities has an effect on the silica microdispersion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technology and Engineering Division, Malaysian Rubber Board, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

    Y. W. Ngeow

  2. Surfaces and Particle Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    J. Y. Y. Heng & D. R. Williams

  3. Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre, Brickendonbury, Hertford, SG13 8NL, UK

    R. T. Davies, K. M. E. Lawrence & A. V. Chapman

Authors
  1. Y. W. Ngeow
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  2. J. Y. Y. Heng
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  3. D. R. Williams
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  4. R. T. Davies
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  5. K. M. E. Lawrence
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  6. A. V. Chapman
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Correspondence to Y. W. Ngeow.

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Ngeow, Y.W., Heng, J.Y.Y., Williams, D.R. et al. TEM observation of silane coupling agent in silica-filled rubber tyre compound. J Rubber Res 22, 1–12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-019-00005-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-019-00005-y

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