Partial replacement of silica with microcrystalline cellulose in rubber composites

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was investigated to partially replace silica in rubber composites. The partial replacement of silica with MCC significantly reduced the energy required for dispersion of fillers in rubber matrix and lowered the internal temperature during the compounding. Moreover, the partial replacement of silica with MCC reduced Mooney viscosity, apparent shear stress, and apparent shear viscosity of the rubber composites, which facilitated the manufacturing process of the rubber composites. The replacement of up to 18% silica with MCC did not negatively affect the mechanical properties of the unaged and aged rubber composites. The partial replacement of silica with MCC also improved the heat resistance, did not significantly change the tan delta of rubber composites containing up to 11.8% of MCC at low temperature and decreased the tan delta of all rubber composites at high temperature. However, addition of MCC slightly decreased tear strength and hot tear strength of the rubber composites. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.