Polymer filler technology for AEM improves hot air aging

摘要

Virtually all thermoset elastomer compounds contain particulate filler to increase strength and modulus of cured rubber articles. Carbon black and silica are among the most common reinforcing fillers, available in an enormous range of particle size, degree of particle aggregation, and surface activity. Selecting an elastomer-filler combination, however, is just a starting point; vulcanizate properties also depend on filler dispersion. Indeed, a considerable portion of rubber technology developed over the past century involves advancements not only in fillers, but also in the equipment and process conditions to disperse fillers.