Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

Rubber reinforcing fillers used in the tire industry consist primarily of nano- or micro-particles of carbon blackx000D
or silica; these particles are isotropically shaped and consequently uniform in exposing targeted positionalx000D
and/or directional properties in a hosting matrix (e.g., rubber). A game-changing advance would result from thex000D
introduction of anisotropic one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructure-based (e.g., nanorods, nanowires, nanofibers)x000D
fillers that are expected to show unique size- and directionality-dependent material characteristics. As anx000D
example, mechanical properties of hosting polymer matrix (e.g., Young's Modulus, tensile strength, elongation)x000D
are expected to be dependent upon the orientation of filler particles.x000D
This project with Michelin Canada aims to establish a practical understanding of how the morphologyx000D
influences the reinforcement properties of silica fillers when included into rubber-based materials used in thex000D
manufacture of tires. To realize this understanding we will develop methods for preparing silica nanorods withx000D
appropriate aspect ratios in a controlled fashion and comprehensively characterize them. These materials willx000D
be provided to our industrial partners for testing in rubber composites.