Minerals Used for Rubber, Tyre, and Flame Retardants

The rubber and tyre industry relies on high-performance mineral fillers to enhance strength, durability, and resistance to wear and tear. Similarly, flame retardants require specialized minerals that improve fire resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. Key minerals such as Talc, Calcium Carbonate, Lime, Kaolin, Quartz, Bentonite, Barytes, Mica, Graphite, and Carbonaceous Products play a vital role in these industries.

At Ashok Minerals, we provide premium-quality mineral solutions tailored to rubber, tyre, and flame retardant applications. Below is a detailed breakdown of each mineral’s chemical properties, uses, and role in these industries.

1. Talc

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
• Hydrophobic and chemically inert with a platy structure.
• High thermal stability, improving heat resistance.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Acts as a reinforcing filler in rubber, improving tensile strength and flexibility.
• Enhances heat and abrasion resistance in tyre compounds.
• Used as a processing aid in flame-retardant coatings.

How Talc is Used

Talc improves tear resistance and weatherability in rubber products and serves as a functional filler in flame-retardant compounds.

Ashok Minerals supplies high-purity talc, ensuring optimal performance in tyre, rubber, and fire-resistant materials.

2. Calcium Carbonate (Calcite) – Precipitated, Coated, and Ground

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: CaCO₃
• High brightness, fine particle size, and neutral pH.
• Excellent dispersion and reinforcement properties.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Improves tensile strength and abrasion resistance in rubber and tyre compounds.
• Acts as a cost-effective filler, reducing production costs.
• Enhances flame-retardant coatings by improving thermal stability.

How Calcium Carbonate is Used

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) offers high-purity reinforcement, while Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) serves as a general-purpose filler. Coated Calcium Carbonate improves dispersion in rubber and polymer-based flame-retardant systems.

At Ashok Minerals, we provide high-quality PCC, GCC, and Coated Calcium Carbonate for superior rubber and fire-resistant formulations.

3. Lime – Hydrated Lime / Quick Lime / Slaked Lime

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: Ca(OH)₂ (Hydrated Lime), CaO (Quick Lime)
• High alkalinity and strong reactivity.
• Improves thermal resistance in polymers.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Used in sulfur curing of rubber, enhancing durability.
• Neutralizes acidic byproducts in rubber processing.
• Acts as a fire-retardant additive in coatings.

How Lime is Used

Lime enhances heat resistance in rubber formulations and improves the fire-resistance properties of flame-retardant materials.

At Ashok Minerals, we supply high-purity Lime, ensuring effective performance in tyre and flame-retardant applications.

4. Hydrous China Clay / Kaolin

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄
• High brightness, chemically inert, and hydrophilic.
• Improves tensile strength and reinforcement.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Enhances mechanical strength in rubber.
• Provides thermal and electrical insulation.
• Acts as a non-halogen flame retardant.

How Hydrous Kaolin is Used

Kaolin is widely used in tyres, rubber linings, and fire-retardant coatings to enhance durability and safety.

5. Calcined Kaolin (China Clay)

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄
• High refractive index and thermal stability.
• Improves opacity and flame resistance.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Acts as a reinforcing filler in rubber, improving flexibility.
• Used in high-performance tyres for increased durability.
• Enhances flame-retardant properties in plastics and coatings.

How Calcined Kaolin is Used

Calcined Kaolin is used in rubber seals, tyres, and flame-resistant coatings to improve heat resistance and strength.

6. Quartz / Silica

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: SiO₂
• High hardness and chemical inertness.
• Improves thermal and mechanical properties.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Enhances tear resistance in rubber compounds.
• Improves grip and rolling resistance in tyres.
• Acts as a heat-resistant additive in flame-retardant formulations.

7. Bentonite

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: (Na,Ca)₀.₃(Al,Mg)₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂·nH₂O
• High water absorption capacity.
• Provides excellent reinforcement.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Enhances flexibility and binding in rubber products.
• Used as a thickening agent in flame-retardant coatings.

8. Barytes (Barite)

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: BaSO₄
• High density and chemical resistance.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Improves weight and wear resistance in rubber.
• Acts as a fireproofing agent in coatings.

9. Mica

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
• High thermal stability and electrical insulation.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Provides reinforcement and flexibility in rubber.
• Used in flame-resistant polymer applications.

10. Graphite – Natural & Synthetic

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: C
• High conductivity and thermal stability.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Provides lubrication and conductivity in rubber.
• Acts as a fire-retardant additive in coatings.

11. Carbonaceous Products – Calcined Petroleum Coke, Graphitized Petroleum Coke, Coke

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: C
• High carbon content with excellent stability.

Uses in Rubber, Tyre & Flame Retardants

• Used in reinforced rubber compounds.
• Enhances flame resistance in fireproof coatings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are mineral fillers essential in tyre and rubber manufacturing?

They improve strength, flexibility, and heat resistance while reducing costs.

2. How does Calcium Carbonate benefit flame-retardant materials?

It enhances thermal stability and fire resistance.

3. What is the role of Graphite in rubber and fireproof coatings?

Graphite provides lubrication, conductivity, and flame resistance.

For high-quality Talc, Calcium Carbonate, Lime, Kaolin, Silica, Bentonite, Barytes, Mica, Graphite, and Carbonaceous Products, Ashok Minerals is a trusted supplier for rubber, tyre, and flame-retardant applications.

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