Filler description and effects

Principles of polymer reinforcement

M. Rocquin, Technical Marketing NBR,

December 2014

Average Particle Size Levels: Carbon Black

compared to Silcas and other Mineral Fillers
j

10000

100

Soft/Hard
clay
Calcined
clay

10

MT

50

FEF

150

SAF

Na-Al
Silicate
Calcium
Silicate

Synthetic

Average particle size (nm)

Whiting

1000

Natural based

Others
Al-hydroxide
Mg-hydroxide
Mica
Ba-sulfate

10

Precipitated
silica
Pyrogenic
Silica

Others

Whiting

The figures in the columns indicate a typical level of the BET-surface

2

Filler description and effects M. Rocquin

December 2014

Silica

Black

Classification of fillers : active, semi-active,

inactive

Base polymer : NR
Source: R.Ecker, Fllstoffeinflu auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften hochpolymerer Werkstoffe,Leverkusen,1970

Activity of the filler has a strong impact on the viscosity of the compound. Active
fillers may cause disadvantages regarding processing

Filler description and effects M. Rocquin

December 2014

Fillers are of three different families with typical

properties.
Active
Filler
(reinforcing)

Semi
Active
Filler

Inactive
Filler
(non reinforcing)

Strong interaction with the polymer

Serve to increase Mooney-viscosity
For improved physical properties
Increase heat build up
Negative effect on permanent set

Depending on specific surface, it will behave like

more like an active or inactive filler :
Filler class

Inactive

Semi-active

Active

BET (m/g)

Below 20

20 to 50

Over 50

Mostly used for extended compounds

Mostly good processing
Good compression set
Low heat build up
Sometimes poor physical properties
Often applied to achieve special properties

Filler description and effects M. Rocquin

December 2014

Change in the filler activity has an extreme

impact on Tensile and Abrasion
Two key properties
Inactive filler when
increased :
Lower abrasion
resistance
Lower Tensile

Active filler when increased

shows :
Extremum for Tensile
Extremum for
abrasion resistance

Base polymer: NR;

The compound containing active carbon black (N 110) ressembles to a typical tire tread compound
Source: R.Ecker,Fllstoffeinflu auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften hochpolymerer Werkstoffe,Leverkusen,1970

Filler description and effects M. Rocquin

December 2014

The higher the activity of the Carbon blakc, the

higher would be the hardness increase.
j
Amount of filler needed to increase the
hardness of 10 Shore A (phr)

Inactive

Semi-active

Active

50
45

EPDM

40
35

NBR

30

NR
25
20
15
10
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

BET-surface [m/g]
Source: Cabot : Carbon Black and its Ability To Build Hardness (no date)
6

Filler description and effects M. Rocquin

December 2014

Active filler recommendations for compounding

Active Fillers improve
Tensile strength
Abrasion resistance
Reduced elasticity
Resistance against dynamic crack formation
Active Fillers impair
Processing properties
Picture/
Artwork size:
Height =
3.00 cm
Width =
3.00 cm

Modulus
Sealing-force retention (compression set)
Dynamic properties (increased loss modulus,increased tan )
Every polymer has a limited capacity to pick-up active fillers.
Do not overload the compound with active fillers!
Guideline (e.g. for carbon black):
Diene based rubbers (NR,BR, SBR) : 40-50 phr
Diene based rubbers (NBR,CR,HNBR) : 30 phr
Avoid active fillers for other rubbers (e.g.FPM)

Filler description and effects M. Rocquin

December 2014

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