Silica surface modification using different aliphatic chain length silane coupling agents and their effects on silica agglomerate size and processability

Abstract

Silica surface was treated with various aliphatic chain length silane coupling agents and compounded in EPDM using an internal mixer, and their agglomerate sizes, viscosity, and extrudate swell were investigated. The treated silica compounds showed smaller agglomerate size, lower viscosity, and lower swell reduction compared to untreated silica compound after equivalent mixing times. Short chain silane treated silica compound exhibited smallest agglomerate size. Silane acted as dispersing agents and processing aids in silica/EPDM compounds.

Keywords:

• Aliphatic silane coupling agents
• silica agglomerate
• internal mixer
• shear viscosity
• extrudate swell.