A PROPOSED MECHANISM FOR THE REINFORCEMENT OF ELASTOMERS IN THE RUBBERY PLATEAU BY CARBON-BLACK

Both the surface of the carbon black particles which compose the aggre gate and the aggregate shape are of prime importance to understand the mechanism of reinforcement. Experimental data support the hypothesis that the filler forms a network interpenetrating the elastomeric netwo rk. Upon strain energy input the carbon black network is destroyed to form a set of non-percolated subnetworks which in tum upon additional strain energy input break in sub-subnetworks. It is shown in addition that ''the carbon black network'' is sufficient to explain the practic al dynamic properties of a carbon black loaded system when subjected t o low/moderate strain energies.