Alternative Filler Based on the Waste from Glass Production and Its Effect on the Rubber Properties

The present paper deals with the preparation of alternative filler based on the waste from glass production and its application into polymer materials. In the function of alternative filler was used sludge from weighing the ingredients in preparation process of glass batch in the glass production. This alternative filler has been modified in order to increase its efficiency, using the three silanes: 3-(Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane, bis3-(Triethoxysilyl) propyl-tetrasulfide and 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl-methacrylate. Prepared modified fillers were mixed into rubber compounds as a partial replacement of commonly used filler - carbon black. The difference of rubber compounds were in the amount of modified filler and in the type of silane used too. The prepared rubber samples were characterized by determination of the rheology and curing characteristics and physical-mechanical properties. The topography and microrelief of the filler particles before and after the modification and the microstructure of vulcanizates containing alternative fillers were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that studied waste from glass production can be used in the function of alternative filler to rubber. The used targeted modifications of alternative filler showed a favorable effect on the properties of prepared rubber compounds and vulcanizates.