Mica as additional filler in SBR - silica compounds

The mechanical properties of mica-silica-SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) com positions were studied with special emphasis on fatigue resistance, using t he Monsanto Fatigue-to-Failure Tester (FTFT) and De Mattia flexing machine. It was found that the addition of mica, in little concentrations, has a po sitive contribution to modulus, and does not change tensile strength, elong ation at break and tear strength. Moreover, the addition of silane coupling agent enhances silica-rubber interactions, whereas the fatigue life of sil ica filled elastomeric compounds is adversely affected by the addition of m ica. These behaviours were supported by scanning electron microscopy observ ations of the fracture surfaces. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.