EFFECT OF CARBON-BLACK ON THE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF ELASTOMERS

The effect of fillers on the mechanical properties of elastomers is primarily of great interest because fillers can be used very effectively to enhance the ultimate properties. At the same time, however, fillers also affect the viscoelastic properties at small and intermediate strains. The viscoelastic response of filled elastomers to a wide variety of mechanical excitations has been studied in the laboratory in the past. These experimental findings have been re-examined with the intent to extract the effect of carbon blacks only without paying detailed attention to the specific mechanics problems studied. It is shown that the effect of carbon black on the viscoelastic properties can be described in a rather simple fashion, provided some precautions are taken in carrying out the experiments. 20 Refs.