Modified phosphate pigments as high performance reinforcing materials for rubber vulcanizates

This study is focusing on the synthesis of novel modified micronized phosphate pigments as reinforcing materials for the vulcanizates of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), natural rubber (NR) and their blends. The metal phenyl phosphate pigments were prepared via co-precipitation process from the reaction of equimolar ratios of the disodium phenyl phosphate solution and the water soluble salts of the investigated metals. The white prepared phosphate pigments were introduced in the rubber formulations to replace carbon black the highly common and commercial reinforcing material in rubber vulcanizates. The rheometric characteristics, physico-mechanical properties in addition to the accelerated aging properties of the rubber vulcanizates were investigated, discussed and interpreted in the light of previous studies. The results showed that, phenyl phosphate pigments exercised a great effect on the rheological characteristics (scorch time, cure time…etc.), and achieved high performance and pronounced mechanical properties. The stress and strain at yield and at rupture of the loaded rubber with modified phosphates are better than that loaded with carbon black and Hisil e.g. tensile strength data were (20.0–23.4), 18.01 MPa and 15.05 for rubber blend vulcanizates loaded with 30 phr of modified phosphate pigments, carbon black and Hisil, respectively. These results open a new direction for various applications of non-black rubber vulcanizates.