Interactions between surface treated ultrafine mineral filler and silicone rubber matrix

Silicone rubber filled with surface treated ultrafine mineral powder was prepared. The bound rubber in uncured silicone rubber was investigated using different mineral powders as fillers. The cross-link density in the vulcanizate was researched, and the mechanical properties were measured. It was found that there are strong relationships between BR T (bound rubber in toluene solvent), D T (total cross-link density) and tensile strength for vulcanizate. There are also strong links between BR E (bound rubber in basic solvent), D C (chemical cross-link density) and 100% modulus for vulcanizate. Mean while, the bound rubber, cross-link density and mechanical properties of the silicone rubber products are affected by the surface chemical treatment of the mineral filler.