Reinforcing effect of silica and silane fillers on the properties of some natural rubber vulcanizates

The reinforcing effect of up to 6 parts per hundred rubber by weight (phr) bis- (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT), a bifunctional organosilane, on the crosslink density, bound rubber, and technical properties of some conventional accelerator/sulfur compounds of natural rubber, containing 30 phr precipitated amorphous white silica was studied. The crosslink density and bound rubber improved as a function of TESPT loading. The tensile strength, elongation at break, stored energy density at rupture, and cohesive tear strength deteriorated at low loading of TESPT, but they subsequently increased after the full amount of TESPT was introduced into the compound. The improved properties of the vulcanizate was due to the better dispersion of the filler in the rubber matrix. However, the cyclic fatigue life was adversely affected, and the hardness hardly changed as a result of adding TESPT to the rubber.