ZEOPOL® Series of Silicas for Reinforcement of Rubber

Rubber reinforcement increases with greater surface area reinforcing agents. The greater amount of high surface area filler you apply, the more rubber reinforcement you gain. The increase is balanced by the desired viscosity of the compound and other rubber properties. Dispersibility can be critical in some highly loaded systems and for low shear mixes.

The Evonik product with the highest rubber reinforcing properties (due to its high surface area) is ZEOPOL® 8755LS, a highly dispersible precipitated silica. The ZEOPOL® series of highly dispersible silicas (HDS) is produced through a unique process that enables standard rubber mixing equipment to break down the particle size to less than one micron.

Compared with classical silica products, the highly dispersible ZEOPOL® rubber reinforcement grades deliver the following advantages:

• Lower viscosity and equal mixing energy for enhanced extrusion and processing
• Improved flex/fatigue resistance
• Increased tear and abrasion resistance
• Outstanding tensile strength
• Enhanced hysteresis properties – lower heat buildup for reduced rolling resistance and longer product life
• A reduction of 10% or more in the amount of a coupling agent required