Rubber and plastic products

The application of silica fume in polymers goes beyond traditional fillers (like calcium carbonate). It is a functional reinforcing filler that simultaneously improves the mechanical, thermal, and surface properties of materials.

Reinforcement Mechanism:

· High Specific Surface Area and Surface Energy: The enormous specific surface area (15–27 m²/g) of silica fume creates strong physical adsorption and interfacial forces with polymer molecular chains.

· "Island Structure" Reinforcement Model: Uniformly dispersed silica fume particles form numerous "hard points" (islands) within the polymer matrix. When the material is subjected to external force, these points effectively disperse stress and hinder the slippage of molecular chains, thereby significantly improving tensile strength, tear strength, and abrasion resistance.

Thermal and Optical Properties Control:

· Thermal Stability: Silica fume itself is heat-resistant, and its addition can increase the Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) of plastics, which is particularly suitable for engineering plastic components that require welding.

· Haze and Transmittance: In plastic films or transparent products, the particle size and dispersion of silica fume are critical. Through surface treatment and strict control of particle size distribution, a balance can be achieved between reinforcement and minimizing the negative impact on transparency.