The presented paper deals with the use of waste materials as ecological fillers into rubber matrix. Waste materials were used as partial replacement of the commercial filler – carbon black, designated as N339. These prepared rubber compounds were characterized on the basis of the rheology and vulcanization characteristics – minimum torque (ML), maximum torque (MH), optimum time of vulcanization (t(c90)), processing safety of compound (ts), rate coefficient of vulcanization (Rv). In the case of the prepared vulcanizates, physical-mechanical properties (tensile strength, tensibility and hardness) and dynamic-mechanical properties (storage modulus, loss modulus, loss angle tan δ) were investigated. Using the dependency of loss angle on temperature, the selected properties for tyre tread vulcanizates were evaluated, including traction on snow and ice, traction on the wet surface and rolling resistance.

The present paper deals with a targeted modification of two kinds of alternative additives - waste from glass production and natural mineral filler and explores their effect on the properties of polymeric materials. In the function of first alternative filler was used sludge from weighing the ingredients of glass batch in the glass production. The second used was natural aluminosilicate material based on zeolite (clinoptilolite). These alternative fillers have been modified in order to increase its efficiency, using the silanes: 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane, bis(triethoxysilyl)propyl-tetrasulfide and 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl-methacrylate. In the case of alternative filler based on zeolite the influence of silanization conditions on the filler efficiency have been also studied. Prepared modified fillers were mixed into rubber compounds as partial replacement of commonly used filler – carbon black. The influence of prepared fillers on rheology and curing characteristics of rubber compounds and also on physical and mechanical properties of vulcanizates has been studied. Obtained results of measured characteristics of polymeric systems containing prepared alternative fillers were compared with the results obtained in the case of reference rubber compound with a commertially used filler – carbon black.

The presented paper deals with the preparation of bentonite modified by silane and its application into polymer matrix. Natural bentonite was modified with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl-methacrylate in two different solutions. These two solutions had the same composition (ethanol, water and 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl-methacrylate) but in one solution, pH was modified. These bentonites modified by silane were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The modified bentonites were mixed into rubber matrix as partial replacement of commonly used filler – carbon black of the N339 type. The polymer blends were investigated from the aspect of the rheological and curing characteristics (minimum torque ML, maximum torque MH, optimum time of cure t(c90), processing safety of blend ts,). Moreover, the quality of the silanization reactions was investigated. Measurements were done using PRPA 2000.

Besides mechanical properties, the dynamic mechanical properties in a sensible range of temperature and rheological properties have to be taken into account for engineering applications. The rising concern towards the reduction in the use of petroleum-based non-renewable resources has led to increasing interests in natural polymer composites filled with natural organic fillers, i. e. they are from renewable and biodegradable sources. This work is focused on the use of biowaste, specifically wood flour as a plasticizer replacement in a rubber compound. Plasticizers (also called softener, extender or process oils) are common additives for polymers with a low molecular weight.An increasing content of a plasticizer usually leads to a decrease in the viscosity of the rubber mixture, and therefore, its processability can be improved.Based on the given fact, the experiment is aimed at the studies of the rheological properties. The scanning electron microscopy results can confirm the compatibility or incompatibility of the biowaste, specifically wood flour with rubber matrix. In the case of a successful replacement for plasticizer with wood flour, we expect a significant reduction in the cost of the mixtures production as well as a reduction in the environmental impact, compared with the petroleum products.

The study deals with the examination of the rheological behaviour of rubber blends which were filled with bentonite. The filler - polymer as well as the filler - filler interactions were studied and determined from the frequency sweep and strain sweep rheological measurements. The used natural bentonite was extracted from the locality called Jelsovy Potok. The natural bentonite had a fine fraction with a particle size of 15μm a 45 μm and it was added into rubber blends as a partial replacement of commonly used filler. The rubber blends were characterised on the basis of curing characteristics (minimum torque ML, maximum torque MH, optimum time of cure t(c90), processing safety of blend ts,). Moreover, the complex viscosity and Payne effect were also specified. The required measurements were done by using PRPA 2000.