Studies on the strength and wear resistance of tetrapod-shaped ZnO whisker-reinforced rubber composites

Zinc oxide whisker with a tetrapod shape was treated with a coupling agent using an orthogonal design and was mixed into the substrate of natural rubb er to obtain the composites. The results of the experimental tests show tha t the tensile strength of the composites progressively increases with an in creased amount of the related whisker. The experiments also indicate that t he rubber reinforced by the tetrapod-shaped ZnO whisker is distinct isotrop y. The wear tests demonstrate that the composites containing ZnO whisker ap pear to have good wear-resistance behavior. (C) 20012001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.