The rubber industry’s evolution towards high performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness continuously challenges the capabilities of traditional fillers in terms of reinforcement efficiency, processing, and functionality. Nano reinforcing filler PF87, a novel functional filler based on natural minerals treated with nanotechnology and surface activation, demonstrates exceptional comprehensive properties in applications such as tire inner liners, cable sheathing, medical stoppers, and extruded hoses. This is achieved through its unique platelet structure, high specific surface area, and non-hydroxylated surface characteristics. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of PF87’s advantages in processing rheology, mechanical properties, air retention, flame retardancy, and aging resistance through systematic experimental data and multi-industry application cases, discussing its promotion value and future prospects in high-performance rubber products. It serves as a guide for Relleno funcional de caucho Proveedores and manufacturers seeking advanced solutions.
1. Introduction: The Evolution of Rubber Fillers and the PF87 Solution
The performance enhancement of rubber products heavily relies on filler innovation. From early calcium carbonate and clay to later carbon black and silica, the development of filler technology has always revolved around the three core contradictions of “reinforcement, processing, and cost.”
- Carbon Black: Offers excellent reinforcement but is black, increases processing energy consumption, and provides limited contribution to air retention.
- Silica: Can improve color and wet grip but is difficult to disperse, hygroscopic, and delays vulcanization.
- Traditional Mineral Fillers (e.g., talc, kaolin): Low cost but poor reinforcement; high loading leads to increased compound hardness and loss of elasticity.
Addressing these industry pain points, the nano reinforcing rubber filler PF87 achieves a balance between reinforcement, processability, and functionality through its nano-scale platelet structure and surface activation technology, offering a new material solution for high-end rubber products. It stands out as a superior Silica Alternative Filler. Notably, beyond the PF87 highlighted here and its medical-grade counterpart PF81, we have also developed the PF90 series for ultra-high-performance demands, continuously meeting the market’s need for excellent performance materials.
2. Core Technical Characteristics and Mechanism of PF87
2.1 Nanoscale Platelet Structure and High Specific Surface Area
Sourced from selected natural composite minerals and subjected to deep processing, PF87 features a microstructure dominated by nano-platelets, with a median particle size D50 of approximately 153 nm. This structure possesses an extremely high specific surface area and abundant porosity, enabling the formation of a dense two-dimensional reinforcement network within the rubber matrix. This not only significantly enhances mechanical strength but also effectively blocks the permeation of gases and small molecules through a “labyrinth effect,” making it a true High Air Retention Filler.
2.2 Non-Hydroxylated Surface and Excellent Dispersibility
Unlike traditional silica, the PF87 surface is free of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups, fundamentally avoiding particle agglomeration due to hydrogen bonding. This characteristic makes it easy to disperse during rubber mixing, reducing mixing energy consumption, improving compound flow and dimensional stability, and facilitating subsequent processing like extrusion and calendering. This inherent quality makes PF87 a nano filler for improved rubber processability.
2.3 Light Weight and High Loading Potential
PF87 has a low true density, resulting in lighter weight products under the same volume filling, aiding in lightweighting. Meanwhile, its soft texture and reasonable particle size distribution allow for high loadings, effectively reducing formulation costs without significantly increasing compound hardness, realizing “cost reduction and efficiency improvement.” This positions PF87 as a genuinely Cost Effective Rubber Filler.
3. Application Evidence and Performance Comparison of PF87 in Multiple Industries
3.1 Application in Tire Inner Liners: Enhancing Air Retention and Durability
For engineers seeking the best filler for tire inner liner compound, PF87 presents a compelling case.
Experimental Design: A comparative study was conducted in a bromobutyl rubber/natural rubber-based inner liner formulation, where PF87 partially replaced carbon black N660.
Key Data Comparison:
| Elemento de prueba | Reference Formula | PF87 Formula |
| Mooney Viscosity ML(1+4) | 56.3 | 53.6 |
| T90 (min) | 20.17 | 21.30 |
| Resistencia a la tracción (MPa) | 10.1 | 10.9 |
| Air Retention (Relative Value) | Reference | 11% Improvement |
| Performance after Hot Air Aging | Remained good | Remained good, comparable |
Conclusion: While maintaining basic mechanical and aging properties, PF87 significantly improves rubber air barrier properties, demonstrating its role as a filler for better tire inner liner performance. It also improves compound processability, which is crucial for ensuring the long-term pressure retention and service life of tires.
3.2 Application in CPE Cable Sheathing: Exceptional Reinforcement and Flame Retardancy
Experimental Design: In a standard CPE cable sheath formulation, PF87 was used to equivalently replace (40 phr) talc and kaolin.
Key Data Comparison:
| Elemento de prueba | PF87 | Talc | Kaolin |
| Resistencia a la tracción (MPa) | 12.7 | 10.1 | 9.6 |
| Oxygen Index (%) | 38.5 | 35.4 | 35.3 |
| Compound Density | Lowest | Higher | Higher |
Conclusion: In cable sheaths, PF87 simultaneously achieves higher reinforcement and superior flame retardancy, while also contributing to product lightweighting. Its comprehensive performance is significantly better than traditional mineral fillers, making the relleno suitable for high pressure rubber hoses and other demanding applications.
3.3 Application in EPDM Extruded Braided Hose: Solving Migration and Contamination Pain Points
Industry Pain Point: Traditional fillers (e.g., kaolin) cause migration of small molecules, contaminating and discoloring the external braided layer.
PF87 Solution:
- Platelet Barrier Effect: Its nano-platelet structure effectively blocks the migration of plasticizers and other small molecules, fundamentally resolving contamination and discoloration issues.
- Enhanced Elasticity: Hoses with 80 phr of PF87 exhibit better hand feel, elasticity, and recovery.
- Replacement for Carbon Black: It can be loaded in high amounts to replace carbon black and silica in rubber, maintaining performance while improving processability and reducing costs, addressing the query of how to reduce rubber product cost with filler.
3.4 Application in Medical Stoppers (Same Series PF81)
PF81, the representative of this series in the medical field, serves as an excellent reinforcing filler for medical rubber stoppers, y advanced filler for butyl rubber compounds. It possesses:
- Biosafety: Non-toxic, odorless, heavy metal content below national standards, compliant with medical regulations.
- Puncture Resistance and Sealability: Good reinforcement imparts excellent puncture resistance and air tightness to stoppers.
- Sterilization Compatibility: Maintains appropriate surface tack after sterilization processes, preventing adhesion to vial openings and facilitating clinical use.
4. Competitiveness Analysis of PF87 vs. Domestic and International Counterparts
Comprehensive comparison tests from the TDS show that PF87 exhibits strong competitiveness in several key indicators:
- vs. German High-End Competitors : Performance is comparable in core areas like reinforcement and air retention, but PF87 holds advantages in processing dispersion and cost control.
- vs. Domestic Traditional Fillers: Possesses overwhelming advantages in tensile strength, tear strength, flame retardancy (oxygen index), etc.
- Balanced Comprehensive Performance: PF87 successfully achieves an excellent balance between scorch safety, curing efficiency, physical properties, and cost, making it more suitable for modern, high-efficiency production lines. This balance is a key reason why we are recognized as leading Caucho Relleno funcional Fabricantes.
5. Application Recommendations and Economic Analysis
5.1 Recommended Directions for Use
- Air Retention Products: Tire inner liners, inner tubes, gas hoses, sealing strips.
- High-End Industrial Products: Cable sheathing (CPE, XLPE), migration-resistant hoses, hydraulic seals.
- Medical and Food Contact: Medical stoppers (PF81), bottle cap liners.
5.2 Dosage Guidelines
- In halobutyl rubber, adding 20-50 phr to equivalently replace part of the carbon black or calcium carbonate can significantly enhance air retention.
- In EPDM, CPE, 40-80 phr can be added based on hardness requirements to replace kaolin, talc, or part of the carbon black.
- Typically, adding 8-10 phr increases compound hardness (Shore A) by approximately 1 degree.
5.3 Economic Assessment
The high performance of PF87 allows for high loadings in formulations, reducing dependence on expensive raw materials (e.g., carbon black, rubber polymer). In tire inner liner formulations, adopting a high-PF87-content strategy can yield significant annual economic benefits, solidifying its status as a Cost Effective Rubber Filler.
6. Conclusion and Outlook
En Nano Reinforcing Rubber Filler PF87, through its unique nano-platelet structure, excellent dispersibility, and multi-functionality, provides the rubber industry with an innovative filler solution that simultaneously meets the demands for high performance, efficient processing, and cost control. Its exceptional performance in air retention, flame retardancy, and solving small molecule migration makes it an ideal choice to replace traditional fillers in several key sectors like tires, cables, hoses, and medical devices. As leading Rubber Functional filler Suppliers China, we are committed to providing this advanced solution globally.
Looking forward, with the rapid development of industries such as electric vehicles, green building, and high-end medical devices, performance requirements for rubber products will become increasingly stringent. The PFseries filler platform (including PF81, PF87, and the higher-performance PF90 series)：Click here to get more information about PF series : https://sanezenrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Functional-nano-reinforcing-materials-EN.pdf
It will continue to dedicate itself to material innovation. By providing customized solutions, we aim to empower the rubber industry to advance towards a new stage of high performance, functionalization, and green sustainable development.
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