Studies of Geothermal Silica as Rubbers Compounds Reinforcing Filler

摘要

Silica from geothermal power plant waste was studied as a filler for rubber compound. Utilization of geothermal silica will be beneficial both to the rubber and power industries. Rubber industries got benefit from its low cost and the potential as reinforcing filler in rubber compounds, and power industries benefited by resolving waste problems in the geothermal facilities. The effect of geothermal silica addition on the rubbers compound and vulcanizate were investigated. The rheometer, FTIR, UTM, and SEM were used to study the vulcanization process, development of crosslink and mechanical properties of the rubber. The results showed that the compound using geothermal silica had faster curing time, better swelling properties, but lower mechanical properties compared to commercial silica.