Mechanical properties Imerys minerals are excellent reinforcement agents improving the mechanical properties of rubber compounds
Imerys kaolins, calcined clays, wollastonite and diatomaceous earth, particularly the finest grades with the highest surface area, are highly effective mechanical reinforcement agents in rubber.
Imerys minerals improve:
- Shore hardness
- Tensile strength
- Elongation
- Modulus
- Compression set
- Cut and tear resistance
- Abrasion resistance
- Crack growth and fatigue resistance
- Thermal and weather ageing
Kaolin
Imerys calcined clays such as those from our Polestar® and Glomax® ranges are particularly effective for improving all-important compression set in gaskets and seals.
Our Suprex™ hydrous clay is an excellent solution for boosting the mechanical performance of rubber hoses for automotive and domestic appliance applications where higher shore hardness is required. Franklin R and Paragon clays are superior choices for semi-reinforcement when intermediate hardness is required.
For more extreme mechanical requirements, surface-treated Mercap, Amlok and Polarite grades are also available, depending on the cure package.
Wollastonite
Fine grade wollastonites such as our Wollastocoat® range with their acicular shape provide excellent reinforcement properties and reduced costs in fluoroelastomer (FKM) seals, gaskets, plugs, o-rings and molded applications.
Diatomaceous earth
Natural diatomaceous earths such as our Celtix™ grades are a great choice for replacing precipitated silica to improve compression set in EPDM.
We offer a full range of custom formulation and technical and process support services to help you match the right mineral grade to your application requirement.