10
1 Rubbery Materials and Soft Nanocomposites
considered reinforcing fillers by rubber engineers for more than half a century. In
other words, rubber engineers have practiced nanotechnology for many years before
the Nanotechnology Era, and those who have engaged in tire production have supported the progress of transportation at its foothold for many years, without aware
of their working on nanotechnology.
Surely, nanotechnology is considered to be one of the key technologies in this
century [41–43]. At its infancy stage, the possibility of a molecular machine was
overestimated, and a famous chemist placed a strong doubt on the possibility [44].
Also, a question from a philosophical side was disclosed [45]. In spite of these
critical comments, molecular motors had gained huge interest particularly at the
biotechnological side [46], which came to fruition, i.e., the Nobel Chemistry award
recognized the pioneering study on nanomachines [47]. In spite of these fluctuations
of the nanotechnology trend, fundamental studies and utilization of nanofillers in
rubber have steadily been practiced. This stability is due to over one hundred years’
history of active utilization of CB (and later particulate silica) in the rubber industries,
especially in the worldwide tire manufacturing industry.
Science and technics of rubber reinforcement have passed through a low doorway for a few times since the early years of the twentieth century. And now at the
early stage of the Nanotechnology Era, rubber people are requested further development of soft nanocomposites, among which nanofiller-loaded rubber vulcanizates
are expected to be the main player. One of the examples may be developing humanfriendly robotics, whose body is soft and flexible enough to be comparable with our
body of mankind. In order to respond to such a request, this book is proposing a
new mechanistic interpretation of rubber reinforcement by summarizing the so far
obtained achievements on rubber reinforcement.
The present authors hope for another such proposals and active discussions among
rubber researchers and engineers, which would ultimately promote breakthrough
toward much modern approaches in terms of rubber reinforcement. We sincerely wish
the reader themselves would try to disclose their own idea on rubber reinforcement
for the sake of activating such a debate.
The following is a comment just before the main chapters in this book: FRP is now
regarded as a representable example of polymeric composites. Hence, in the arena of
rubbers, the reason why not a fiber reinforced rubber (FRR) but a nanofiller-loaded
rubber treated in this book should be explained. Certainly, FRR is an important
component of tires, and in order to support the heavy body (even that of an airplane!)
tire rubber has to be reinforced by fiber cords. In terms of the overall mechanical
strength, not the rubber but the fiber cords are dominating.
However, the most essential function of tires is to make use of entropic elasticity
originated from rubber and the sealed up air (or nitrogen gas) in order to enable us
to drive comfortably and in safety. Elastic rubber is indispensable to maintain the
air pressure under highly dynamic conditions, and so far no alternative materials
are found. Namely nanofiller reinforced rubber has to be elastic, minimizing gas
permeation, and showing mechanical stability under highly dynamic conditions as
well as functional performances relevant to friction (including frictional wear) on the
1 Rubbery Materials and Soft Nanocomposites
considered reinforcing fillers by rubber engineers for more than half a century. In
other words, rubber engineers have practiced nanotechnology for many years before
the Nanotechnology Era, and those who have engaged in tire production have supported the progress of transportation at its foothold for many years, without aware
of their working on nanotechnology.
Surely, nanotechnology is considered to be one of the key technologies in this
century [41–43]. At its infancy stage, the possibility of a molecular machine was
overestimated, and a famous chemist placed a strong doubt on the possibility [44].
Also, a question from a philosophical side was disclosed [45]. In spite of these
critical comments, molecular motors had gained huge interest particularly at the
biotechnological side [46], which came to fruition, i.e., the Nobel Chemistry award
recognized the pioneering study on nanomachines [47]. In spite of these fluctuations
of the nanotechnology trend, fundamental studies and utilization of nanofillers in
rubber have steadily been practiced. This stability is due to over one hundred years’
history of active utilization of CB (and later particulate silica) in the rubber industries,
especially in the worldwide tire manufacturing industry.
Science and technics of rubber reinforcement have passed through a low doorway for a few times since the early years of the twentieth century. And now at the
early stage of the Nanotechnology Era, rubber people are requested further development of soft nanocomposites, among which nanofiller-loaded rubber vulcanizates
are expected to be the main player. One of the examples may be developing humanfriendly robotics, whose body is soft and flexible enough to be comparable with our
body of mankind. In order to respond to such a request, this book is proposing a
new mechanistic interpretation of rubber reinforcement by summarizing the so far
obtained achievements on rubber reinforcement.
The present authors hope for another such proposals and active discussions among
rubber researchers and engineers, which would ultimately promote breakthrough
toward much modern approaches in terms of rubber reinforcement. We sincerely wish
the reader themselves would try to disclose their own idea on rubber reinforcement
for the sake of activating such a debate.
The following is a comment just before the main chapters in this book: FRP is now
regarded as a representable example of polymeric composites. Hence, in the arena of
rubbers, the reason why not a fiber reinforced rubber (FRR) but a nanofiller-loaded
rubber treated in this book should be explained. Certainly, FRR is an important
component of tires, and in order to support the heavy body (even that of an airplane!)
tire rubber has to be reinforced by fiber cords. In terms of the overall mechanical
strength, not the rubber but the fiber cords are dominating.
However, the most essential function of tires is to make use of entropic elasticity
originated from rubber and the sealed up air (or nitrogen gas) in order to enable us
to drive comfortably and in safety. Elastic rubber is indispensable to maintain the
air pressure under highly dynamic conditions, and so far no alternative materials
are found. Namely nanofiller reinforced rubber has to be elastic, minimizing gas
permeation, and showing mechanical stability under highly dynamic conditions as
well as functional performances relevant to friction (including frictional wear) on the