Journal Papers Published by the Rubber Research Group

"Silica-Rubber Microstructure Visualised in three-dimensions by Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy"

Author(s): L.B. Tunnicliffe, A.G. Thomas and J.J.C. Busfield

Journal: Journal of Microscopy

A Focused Ion Beam – Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) technique for three-dimensional reconstruction and representation of material microstructures was applied to a silica-filled synthetic rubber for the first time. Backscattered electron imaging allowed differentiation between rubber matrix, silica filler and zinc oxide (used as an activator for the sulphur vulcanization reaction). Subsequent image processing allowed three dimensional isosurface model generation of the particulate structure within the rubber composite and separation of zinc oxide from the silica filler. The potential for development and application of this technique using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modelling is also highlighted.