Effect of Surface Treatments with Flame Plasma and Silane on Mechanical Properties of Silica Reinforced Elastomeric Composites

ABSTRACT The effect of surface treatments with the atmospheric pressure flame plasma (APFP) and epoxy silane (ES) is experimentally investigated to yield the best mechanical properties of silica (    ) reinforced elastomeric composites. The tensile strength of the composites is increased significantly with decrease the mean diameter. When the diameter is 2.2㎛, that of the composite is increased about 1.4 times compared to the matrix (2.52㎫). Also, the tensile strength of silica reinforced composites with APFP and ES treated is increased 8.8∼13.3%, 9.9~12.5%, respectively. When the diameter is 26.6㎛, the tensile modulus of the composite is increased about 2 times compared to the matrix (0.88㎫), and the tensile modulus of silica reinforced composites with APFP and ES treated is increased 15.6∼22.8%, 21.1~25.8%, respectively. Conventional silane coupling agent treatment have a few disadvantages because of using organic solvents. However APFP treatment is a fast, economic and eco-friendly method to improve the mechanical properties.