초록
The use of ZnO and stearic acid is very well known in sulfenamide accelerated sulfur vulcanization of diene elastomers. Zn-ion coated nano filler has been developed and tested, in styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) as sulfur vulcanizing activator cum reinforcing filler. In this study Zinc oxide has been replaced by the Zn-ion coated nano silica filler with an aim to study the dual role of this nanofiller in SBR. The presence of Zn-ion on the nano silica filler surface activates the sulfur vulcanization by involving Zn++ in to the sulfurating complex formed with thiazole from sulfenamide. The increase of Zn-ion, on the nanofiller, decrease the scorch safety of the elastomer compound but increase the tensile strength, state of cure and tear strength and attain maximum at its 10% level. The presence of stearic acid increases the rate of vulcanization. Replacement of stearic acid with mono-stearate, however, increases the vulcanization rate but decrease the ultimate state of cure. A mechanistic scheme involving dual function of this nanofiller has been suggested.