Studies on mechanical, rheological, thermal and morphological properties of in situ silica-filled butadiene rubber composites

Silica is introduced in butadiene rubber (BR) in situ by solution sol-gel method at low and high content. This results in uniformly dispersed spherically shaped silica in rubber matrix as revealed from Scanning electron microscopy study. Incorporation of in situ silica imparts moderate reinforcement to BR composite. Mechanical property and silica distribution are eventually improved by using a silane coupling agent as a surface modifier. Thermal, rheological, morphological, mechanical and melting behaviours of the composites are evaluated and analysed in a comparative manner.