Studies on the use of nano zinc oxide and modified silica in NR, CR ...

Summary and Conclusions
Polymers are the most versatile of engineering materials because of
their ability to be tailor-made to suit specific requirements. Fillers play a
dominant role in modifying the properties of the base polymer and nano
fillers are the last name in fillers because of their ability to modify properties
at very low levels. The primary objective of this study has been to upgrade
the performance of rubbers like natural rubber, polychloroprene rubber, and
styrene butadiene rubber by modifying with nano zinc oxide and nano silica.
This study may be divided into two parts. The first part of the work is the
preparation and use of nano zinc oxide in natural rubber, polychloroprene
rubber and styrene butadiene rubber. The second part of the work is the use
of surface modified silica particles in natural rubber, polychloroprene rubber,
and styrene butadiene rubber.
An introduction about various rubbers, their compounding with
emphasis on fillers and nano fillers is presented in chapter 1. The use of zinc
oxide, antioxidants and various types of silica particles in rubber compounding
is presented in detail. The scope and objective of the study are also included
in this chapter.
The specifications of all the materials used in the study and the details
of the different experimental techniques employed in this study are given in
chapter 2. The rubber compounds were prepared on a two roll mixing mill as
per the ASTM D 3182-89. The cure characteristics of the compounds were
studied using a rubber process analyzer. These compounds were compression
moulded in an electrically heated hydraulic press. The tensile properties of
the vulcanizates were studied using a universal testing machine. The ageing