Effect of the Carbon-Silica Reinforcing Filler Obtained from the Pyrolysis-Cum-Water Vapour of Waste Green Tyres upon the Properties of Natural Rubber Based Composites

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the solid product (SiO2D, pyrolysed silica filler) obtained via pyrolysis-cum-water-vapour of waste “green” tyre treads as a reinforcing filler in natural rubber based composites. Curing characteristics, mechanical and dynamic properties of the investigated composites comprising a pyrolysed silica filler have been compared to those of the vulcanizates comprising conventional carbon black, silica or their blends. The mechanical and dynamic properties of the studied composites show that the product discussed could by all means replace the conventional fillers – carbon black, silica as well as their blends – in natural rubber based composites. Indirectly, the results obtained allow the conclusion that the product obtained from pyrolysis-cum-water vapour of waste “green” tyre treads is not a pure mechanical blend of the fillers used for the production of “green” tyres (silica and carbon black). Though some amounts of silica and carbon black are present in the product, it also contains silica with carbon deposited on its particles surface resulting from the destruction of elastomer matrix. That makes this product similar to the dual phase fillers described in literature.