ABSTRACT
Whatever the filler, there are at least six families of parameters to consider when studying how the properties of a given polymer are modified:
The nature of the polymer, its chemistry, its macromolecular and • structural characteristics The chemical nature of the filler and its surface chemistry• The average size and size distribution of particles• The geometry and structure of particles• The polymer/filler concentration ratio (or the filler volume fraction)• The effects of the other ingredients in the compounds•
No overall, coherent understanding of all those effects exists yet and only several, partial aspects are documented, in various extent, for certain classes of fillers. Due to its major role in rubber technology, CB is surely the material that has so far captured most of the attention and therefore, deserves a specific interest, whilst certain conclusions drawn in studying polymer-CB composites are not necessarily applicable to other systems.
