Carbon Black, Silica & Reinforcing Materials

The U.S. Army utilizes the A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) as a tactical asset in combat and peace operations. Track failure on Army systems, such as those in Bradley Fighting Vehicles, is a significant cost driver for the Army. In-field track failures result in the entire platoon being mobilized to protect the vehicle and crew, putting warfighters at risk in hostile areas. A track’s main failure mode is typically related to specialized rubber components, such as elastomeric bushings, backer pads, track pads and road wheels.

Nepheline syenite is a silica deficient functional filler and additive widely employed in a variety of polymers, adhesives, coatings, inks and colorant applications. Micronized sizes are valued for purity of color, gloss control, antiblocking in polyolefin films and coatings, and ease of dispersion, with low viscosity build, abrasion and superior weather resistance

In tire technology, the automobile tire performance triangle, or “magic triangle,” is formed by three major parameters: rolling resistance, wet traction and wear resistance. These tire tread compound properties have rarely been improved simultaneously.

The carbon black industry is dynamic, with the leading global producers developing new ways to create sustainable products. One of the innovation leaders is Orion Engineered Carbons. In an interview with two of the company’s executives, Rubber World discussed how Orion approaches innovation and the trends in sustainable products.

Prior work has studied a range of polymer types and filler types to understand the effect of filler-polymer interaction on abrasion. A series of model compounds was studied, including three polymer types and two filler types. The polymer types were E-SBR, S-SBR and F-S-SBR. This allowed for the examination of the effect of polymer-filler interaction strength.