Zinc Surfactant Effects on Improved Mechanical Properties of Silica-Filled Silicone Rubber/Natural Rubber Blends Using TESPD Coupling Agent

Abstract

Abstract Zinc surfactant (ZS) is added into natural rubber (NR)/silica/TESPD (bis (triethoxysilyl propyl) disulfide) and silicone rubber (SR)/NR/silica/TESPD compounds and these compounds are vulcanized. The addition of the ZS shows significant improvements on mechanical properties on both compounds. It increases the torque maximum values of the compounds as well as the tan values, which is an indirect implication that the vibration isolation property is increased. It shows the presence of zinc ion in the ZS helps silane coupling with double bond in the rubber chain. This results in improved mechanical properties such as the modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness.