Application of Sericite in Rubber Industry

In the rubber industry, sericite is a good filler or extender, which can reduce the rubber content of the material and thus reduce the production cost. The unique thin-plate structure of sericite can effectively improve the damping performance of rubber. Its good physical and chemical properties such as compressive strength, tensile strength, light resistance, fire resistance, weather resistance, heat resistance, acid resistance, and electrical insulation can improve the mechanical properties, heat resistance, and aging resistance of rubber products added with sericite, and can be used in the development of special rubber products.

Research on the application of ultrafine sericite powder in natural rubber, SBR, and chloroprene rubber shows that under the same conditions, the reinforcement performance of sericite powder is significantly better than that of common inorganic reinforcing fillers such as calcium carbonate, clay, and active silica powder, and its reinforcement performance is only second to semi-reinforcing carbon black. Research on rubber products added with sericite powder shows that their tensile strength, impact strength, and tear strength have been significantly improved.

Manufacturers added wet-ground sericite powder to natural rubber and SBR. The results showed that not only did the reinforcement performance of the products improve, but the appearance of the products was smooth and the hand feel was good, and it could partially replace carbon black or white carbon black.