Reinforcement of Rubber: Visualization of Nanofiller and the Reinforcing Mechanism

This book presents the most recent description of rubber reinforcement, focusing on the network-like structure formation of nanofiller in the rubber matrix under the presence of bound rubber. The resultant filler network is visualized by electron tomography applied to rubber. In the case of natural rubber, the self-reinforcement effect is uniquely functioning, and new template crystallization is suggested. Here, the crystallites are also believed to arrange themselves in a network-like manner. These results are of great use, particularly for engineers, in designing rubber reinforcement. 

Atsushi Kato rreceived his PhD from Tohoku University in 1985. His research interests include unusual stress-strain properties of natural rubber vulcanizates with high primary molecular weight, fatigue characteristics ofglass fiber reinforced polyamide, study on microfracture mechanism of glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate by using acoustic emission, optical transparency and silica network in cross-linked natural rubber as revealed by spectroscopic and three-dimensional transmission electron microscopy technique, reinforcement mechanism of carbon black (CB) in natural rubber vulcanizates, and so on. He is currently working on development of analysis technology of soft materials at the automotive analysis department of NISSAN ARC, LTD. He won the Materials Life Society Review Award from the Materials Life Society, Japan in 2009, and the Rubber-Technical Merit Award from the Society of Rubber Science and Technology, Japan in 2012.