Reinforced Rubber and Their Composites

Dear Colleagues,

Reinforcement of rubber by solid fillers to form rubber composites is a major concern in rubber technology as the final performance of rubber products largely depends on the ingredients used for rubber compounding. Typically, reinforcing fillers modify stress–strain behaviors (i.e., modulus and tensile strength), mechanical properties (such as tear strength, abrasion resistance, and hardness), and dynamic, electrical, and thermal properties, while maintaining the inherent flexibility and elasticity of rubber materials. Additionally, the distribution and dispersion of compounding ingredients in rubber matrix is crucial to obtain higher-quality rubber composites with quality performances in target industrial applications. Moreover, the compatibility between rubber and reinforcing agents is another major concern in the reinforcement of rubber materials, which mainly depends on the interactions to promote low interfacial tension with high interfacial adhesion at the rubber–filler particle interfaces. High compatibility between these two phases can be achieved through a variety of routes of structural and chemical modification of filler particles and/or rubber molecules.

Therefore, the preparation of reinforced rubber and its composites has become a procedure of utmost importance for rubber product development. Many industries are facing major challenges in the search for the optimum type and loading quantity of reinforcing fillers in rubbers together with understanding their mechanochemical and other related properties. This Special Issue, entitled “Reinforced Rubber and Its Composites”, will serve as an important platform for the development of rubber composites, including conventional composites and newly developed “nanocomposites” for the benefits of research and industrial communities. 

Dr. Charoen Nakason
Guest Editor

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