Particulate Fillers in Elastomers

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to the use of particulate fillers in elastomers, which make greater use of fillers than do most other polymers, largely because fillers are able to improve greatly many of their properties to an extent not found in other composites. This is particularly true of their use in automobile tyres where the high performance levels taken for granted today would not be possible without very sophisticated carbon blacks and silicas. Because of the value of fillers to the elastomer industry, it is not surprising that the most advanced work on filler characterisation and links with composite properties have been carried out in this area. Many of the filler characterisation aspects have been covered elsewhere. This chapter concentrates on the basic principles of elastomer formulation and the role of fillers in this.