Disagglomeration and Processability

It is understood that the breaking down of carbon black agglomerates, known as disagglomeration, has an effect on processability. Mixing an elastomer compound requires mechanical means, which blur the distinction between the effect of polymer breakdown, and disagglomeration. Furthermore, very few studies have measured an adequate area of samples in order to isolate dispersion. This paper will explore these ideas through the use of reflected light microscopy for measurement of disagglomeration of carbon black, Dynamic Mechanical Rheological Testers, in order to relate flow characteristics and GPC to determine molecular weight in uncured NR, SBR and EPDM compounds. The data will be compared in a study of these compounds subjected to cold mastication.