| abstract |
A process is provided for making a carbon-filled rubber having a uniform dispersion of nanometric-sized carbon black particles. Fluffy carbon black is received as a slurry in water and added to latex rubber before or during coagulation in an emulsion styrene butadiene rubber plant, or fluffy carbon black is similarly incorporated in rubber using a different type of rubber-manufacturing process. A uniform dispersion of smaller-than-usual carbon black particles in rubber is formed, which provides a black masterbatch rubber with superior mechanical and rheological properties. Ash and grit is removed from the fluffy carbon black slurry, which further improves the properties of the carbon-filled rubber by reducing defects in the rubber caused by the ash or grit. |