The Effect of Non-Polymeric Components of a Rubber Mixture on Surface Properties of Elastomer Compositions

Abstract

The effect of non-polymeric components of a rubber mixture on the surface properties of butadienestyrene rubber obtained by solution polymerization was studied in the article. As non-polymeric components, ingredients widely used in the practice of the rubber industry were introduced into the rubber: fillers, surfactants of various types, and also sulfur - as a vulcanization agent. The surface free energy of the samples, a quantitative characteristic of the surface properties, was determined using the Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble method. It has been found that the surface properties of elastomeric compositions depend significantly on the solubility of the ingredients of the rubber composition and their adsorption properties. It has been shown that the most significant influence on the surface energy of butadiene-styrene rubber is exerted by the filler, on the surface of which rubber adsorption does not occur. The effect of surfactants on the surface energy of rubber compounds is different and depends on the nature of the surfactant. A partially soluble component - sulfur - in small quantities does not affect the surface energy of rubber samples. However, if it is present in the system in quantities greater than the solubility limit, it significantly reduces the surface free energy of the samples.