Structure of carbon black-elastomer composites by small-angle neutron scattering and the method of contrast variation

Rex P. Hjelm; Wesley Wampler; Michel Gerspacher

doi:10.1117/12.267886

27 February 1997 Structure of carbon black-elastomer composites by small-angle neutron scattering and the method of contrast variation

Rex P. Hjelm, Wesley Wampler, Michel Gerspacher

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2867, International Conference Neutrons in Research and Industry; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.267886
Event: Fifth International Conference on Applications of Nuclear Techniques: Neutrons in Research and Industry, 1996, Crete, Greece

Abstract

We have been exploring the use of small-angle neutron scattering and the method of contrast variation to give a new look at very old problem--reinforcement of elastomers by carbon black in durable rubber products. Carbon black has a hierarchy of structures consisting of particles covalently bound into aggregates, which in turn associate by weak interactions into agglomerates. We found that in one carbon black, HSA, the aggregates are rod-like, containing an average of 4-6 particles. The aggregates have another graphitic shell and an inner core of lower density carbon. The core is continuous throughout the carbon black aggregate. Contrast variation of swollen HSA-polyisoprene gels shows that the HSA is completely embedded in polyisoprene and that the agglomerates are formed predominantly by end on associations of the rod-like aggregates. The surface structure of the carbon black appears smooth over length scales above about 10 angstrom. Further studies using production carbon blacks suggest that these structural characteristics are generally present in commercial rubber composites.

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Rex P. Hjelm, Wesley Wampler, and Michel Gerspacher "Structure of carbon black-elastomer composites by small-angle neutron scattering and the method of contrast variation", Proc. SPIE 2867, International Conference Neutrons in Research and Industry, (27 February 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.267886

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