Carbon-Black Reinforcement of Adhesives and Sealants
In the rubber industry, carbon black is commonly used as filler to give reinforcing effects, such as altering the modulus or tensile strength of the rubber. In rubber-based adhesives, sealants and coatings, carbon black is used to enhance intermolecular or cohesive forces of the product and to impart conductivity. In coatings, it also acts as a chromophore (light-absorbing additive) to inhibit chemical reactions that lead to rubber degradation.
Although the phenomenon of carbon-black reinforcement has been known for almost a century, the nature of the mechanism is not yet fully understood and is a subject to debate. Therefore, a considerable amount of interest exists in characterizing the nature of carbon-black binding to the polymer and the associated properties.