Wollastonite powder exhibits significant reinforcement effects in rubber products, mainly due to its unique physical structure and chemical properties. The needle like morphology of wollastonite powder can generate good physical entanglement and interface bonding with rubber molecular chains, which helps to effectively transmit stress and improve the mechanical properties of rubber. At the same time, the surface of wollastonite powder is rich in silicon oxygen groups, which can react chemically with polar components or coupling agents in rubber, further enhancing interfacial adhesion, reducing filler agglomeration, and improving dispersibility.
Surface modification technology can significantly optimize the reinforcement effect of wollastonite powder. By organic modification (such as using silane coupling agents or surfactants), the wettability and compatibility of wollastonite powder in non-polar rubber matrix can be improved, making the filler more evenly dispersed and reducing interface defects. For example, after treatment with silane coupling agent, an oleophilic layer is formed on the surface of wollastonite, promoting interaction with rubber molecules and improving tensile strength and wear resistance. Inorganic coating modification (such as nano calcium silicate coating) can reduce the wear value of fillers, improve color, and indirectly support reinforcement.
In addition, the addition of wollastonite powder can optimize multiple properties of rubber. It can improve tensile strength, tear strength, and wear resistance while maintaining elasticity, and endow rubber with excellent heat resistance, electrical insulation, and weather resistance. In light colored rubber, wollastonite powder can partially replace coloring agents such as titanium dioxide, enhance covering power, and achieve a synergistic effect of reinforcement and whitening.
Overall, the reinforcement mechanism of wollastonite powder is the result of physical enhancement of needle like structure, optimization of surface chemical modification interface bonding, and the combined action of filler rubber interaction. By selecting appropriate modification methods and processes, its application value in rubber products can be further enhanced.