Structure and Properties of Loaded Rubber Mixtures. VIII. Tensile Strength of Loaded Rubber Mixtures Prepared Directly from Latex
Abstract 1. The change of physical properties of loaded films of natural latex with the degree of loading is related to a change of distribution of the filler; when the filler content is small a loose structure is formed, which possesses a lower density and strength. 2. Mastication destroys the loose structure which forms in the range of small loadings, and leads to a disappearance of the minima on the corresponding concentration-strength and concentration-density curves. In synthetic-latex mixtures, there is no minimum strength or density for a particular degree of loading, since no loose structure is formed. This is still true after mastication. 4. In natural latex, bentonite clay is an active filler; channel carbon black hardly reinforces such latex mixtures. In synthetic latex (Igetex S-3), channel carbon black shows significant reinforcing properties. 5. Mastication of dried latex mixtures does not change the action of fillers. 6. Mastication of coagulated natural-latex mixtures causes channel carbon black to become an active filler; the behavior of fillers in synthetic latex mixtures is not changed by mastication. 7. The above mentioned phenomena are the result of the action of surface-active substances present in latex and adsorbed on the surface of its globules.