Elastomers are dimensionally stable but elastically deformable polymers, e.g. fluoroelastomers and silicones. These polymers are used wherever high elasticity of the end product is important, for example, in sealing rings, tyres, cables, hoses, conveyor belts, floor coverings and in medical technology. Our fillers have a considerable influence on the mechanical properties (Shore hardness, modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, etc.), but also on the electrical properties (breakdown strength) and can improve these. In addition, they allow good to very good pigmentability of the elastomer.
Fluoroelastomer applications with TREMIN®
Fluoroelastomers are highly specialized materials for sophisticated areas of application in the construction of engines, motors, machinery and chemical plant. They make seals resistant to various chemicals and make high-temperature applications at all possible. The short-needled silane-coated wollastonite powder TREMIN® 283 has been used successfully for many years as a functional filler, the focus being on tensile strength and dimensional stability in fluoroelastomers to set the degree of hardness. Besides good reinforcement TREMIN® 283 also provides the advantage of pigmentable, bright mixtures in fluoroelastomers. The fluoroelastomers optimized in this way are ideal for the above-mentioned applications under special conditions, such as high degrees of mechanical stress and high temperatures. The fluoroelastomers reinforced by TREMIN® 283 are characterized by the following properties:
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Very good pigmentability
- High tear propagation resistance
- High tensile strength
CHINAFILL in rubber applications
Our daily lives are inconceivable without the extremely stretchable material rubber. By rubber we understand vulcanized natural or synthetic rubbers, such as styrene-butadiene (SBR), nitrile-butadiene (NBR) and ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM). The applications for rubber polymers can be found wherever elasticity is of special importance, e.g. in tyres, floor coverings, hoses, cables, conveyor belts and in diverse household products. Lamellar kaolin, being chemically inert , is highly weather resistant. The coarser types of kaolin (so-called 'soft clays') have a reinforcing effect in rubber; the fine types of kaolin ('hard clays') even have a very pronounced reinforcing effect. Tensile strength, tear propagation resistance and the modulus of elasticity are increased by the addition of these kaolins. In addition, the bright CHINAFILL kaolins allow the production of easily pigmentable products. In the case of cables, kaolin also causes an increase in the insulation properties. The rubber plastics reinforced by CHINAFILL are characterized by the following properties:
- Excellent tensile strength
- High tear propagation resistance
- Increased modulus of elasticity
- Very good pigmentability
- Enhanced electrical insulation properties
SIKRON® and SILBOND® in silicone applications
Silicone is an elastomer that combines the special properties of silica and rubber: it is extremely elastic, very thermally stable, hydrophobic and has a high electrical breakdown strength. In contrast to rubber, silicones retain their properties over a wide temperature range. Silicones are therefore used for seals, insulation and mouldings that are subjected to high thermal stresses. Medical technology, the electronics industry and the household would be inconceivable without them. Quartz and cristobalite are inert and on account of their structure tend to be round and compact in contrast to wollastonite, which is acicular, and kaolin, which is lamellar. In addition to the untreated types of the SIKRON® group, the surface-treated SILBOND® types are also available.
Silica is used mainly for seals and cables, in particular the type SIKRON® SF 600 and the coated variants SILBOND® 600 TST and SILBOND® 600 RST. The surface treatment of the filler provides for low viscosity during the procesing of the silicone. Specific influencing of the electrical and mechanical properties of the silicone part can be achieved through the use of this filler (e.g. increasing the electrical insulation behaviour).
With SIKRON® and SILBOND® filled silicone polymers can be characterised by the following properties:
- adjustable elasticityand shore-hardness
- adjustable thermal expansion
- very well colouring characteristics
- increased electrical insulation properties
- decreased contraction during reaction
Are you interested in a use in your company? If so, speak to us about it. We'll be glad to answer your questions!