Novel Silica Coated Iron Oxide, “MAGSILICA®” for Speed up Crosslinking in Rubber

The novel silica coated iron oxide under the brand of MAGSILICA^® is produced by Evonik’s fumed oxide production technology. The silica coated iron oxide consists of iron oxide cores and silica shells and can behave as magnetic filler. Heat can be generated inside these particles when they are subjected to an electromagnetic alternating field. Heat generated from the silica coated iron oxide can crosslink rubber compounds at greatly reduced cure time without passing a conventional curing process such as a salt bath, an autoclave, or a hot air oven.

This paper will explain the use of the silica coated iron oxide in different rubber compounds and provides the new way of the vulcanization process by induction heating. The effect of this silica coated iron oxide on rubber properties will also be discussed.