Micro and Nanofillers in Rubbers

Abstract

As a most general definition, filler is a finely divided solid that is used to modify the properties of a material in which it is dispersed. From the inception of the rubber industry, fillers have a crucial role in either providing durability and performance or in reducing the price by decreasing the rubber partition in the compound. The fillers used in rubbers can be divided into two main groups such as black and non-black fillers. Besides the conventional micron size fillers, nanofillers recently have gained both academic and industrial importance. In this chapter, it is aimed to introduce the fillers used in rubbers. Their characteristics and their impact on properties of rubbers are discussed by giving examples from the recently published literature. In addition to the conventional ones, the new emerging nano-fillers and their added value to the rubbers are given in detail by highlighting some selected studies.