Preparation of Silica-ENR Masterbatch via Latex Stage

摘要

Preparation of silica-ENR masterbatch via latex stage was carried out with different loadings of silica added into ENR 25 latex. Four methods namely stirring; stirring and heat; stirring and acid; and stirring, acid and heat, were used to coagulate the silica-ENR latex mixture. Stirring and stirring and heat were found to be the most suitable methods to coagulate silica-ENR latex mixture compared to stirring and acid. Stirring, acid and heat was not suitable for the mixture coagulation. The resulting masterbatches were subjected to analysis via FTIR spectroscopy, Mooney viscosity and FESEM. FTIR spectrum showed an interaction that occurred with the presence of hydrogen bond between the precipitated silica and ENR 25. The viscosity of silica-ENR masterbatch increased with increasing loading of silica dispersion. Lower viscosity was obtained for coagulation of silica-ENR with heat compared to other methods used. Silica-ENR mixtures coagulated with acid gave higher viscosity compared to silica-ENR mixtures without acid. Evidence by FESEM technique showed that silicas were well distributed in the rubber matrix by preparation of silica-ENR masterbatch via latex stage.