Emmanuel Custodero

Reinforcement of Elastomers by Particulate Fillers

The reinforcement of elastomers by particulate fillers has been extensively studied in the past. This chapter discusses two reasons for this: (1) the drastic changes in mechanical properties that induce fillers reinforcement—many of the usual applications of elastomers could not be envisaged without the use of particulate fillers and (2) a reason of a very different nature, which probably resides in the “mystery” of the reinforcement mechanism that has fascinated many scientists and remains, despite their efforts, mainly not understood today.