Online Electrical Conductivity as a Measure to Characterize the Carbon Black Dispersion in Oil Containing Rubber Compounds with a Different Polarity of Rubber
Abstract The influence of viscosity, polarity of the rubber matrix and the types and contents of extender oil on the carbon black dispersion has been characterized using the online electrical conductivity measurement. A corresponding change of the online conductivity with the rubber infiltration and extent of carbon black dispersion has been observed. The infiltration rate increases with increasing polarity and decreasing viscosity of the rubber matrix, whereby the matrix polarity shows a stronger effect than the viscosity. The oil addition accelerates the infiltration process. This is caused by the reduction of the matrix viscosity and the intensification of the filler-matrix interaction. Oil addition affects the carbon black dispersion in non-polar rubber much more than in polar rubber. Furthermore, in non-polar rubber, polar oil shows a stronger effect than non-polar oil.