Thermal analysis of elastomer composites

Thermal analysis of polychloroprene elastomer composites was carried out. A ddition of reinforcing fillers such as precipitated silica (Vulcasil-S), ca rbon black (FEF N-550), and short silk fiber led to significant changes in the degradation pattern, depending on their reinforcement and adhesion abil ity with the elastomer matrix. Attempts were made to correlate the variatio ns of thermal properties with the surface chemistry and the reinforcement c haracteristics of these fillers. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.