Abstract:
Carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber
(XNBR) latex was filled with surface modified precipitated silica.
Surface modification of silica was affected in an aqueous medium
by reacting with a synthetic polymer (SP) containing both
hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. The effectiveness of SP in
enhancing reinforcing action of silica in XNBR latex films was
evaluated through investigation of mechanical properties of
vulcanized latex films cast from XNBR latex compounds filled
with modified silica over a range of 5 to 20 phr loadings. Tear
strength, which is an important mechanical property in certain
latex based products like gloves, of modified silica filled cast films
was found to be improved in comparison with that of unmodified
silica filled cast films. Tear properties of cast films were
continued to increase within the range of filler loadings
investigated. An optimization of tensile strength was observed at
15phr filler loading in films containing modified fillers and it
exceeds the tensile strength of unmodified filler added films with
same loading. Morphological studies performed by scanning
electron microscopy illustrated that a better distribution of
modified filler particles within the XNBR matrix has occurred
which may be a consequence of the discouragement of filler
aggregation with surface modification. Surface modification of
silica has improved the reinforcement action on XNBR.
