Elastomer masterbatch is processed in a continuous compounder having multiple parallel elongate rotors axially oriented in an elongate
processing chamber. Optionally, additional materials are compounded into the
masterbatch, e.g., additives, other elastomeric compositions, etc. Preferably, the
masterbatch then is further processed in an open mill. Excellent control of
Mooney Viscosity is achieved.In certain preferred embodiments,
elastomer composites are produced by novel
continuous flow methods and apparatus in which fluid streams of particulate filler and
elastomer latex are fed to the
mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a coagulated mixture in semi-confined flow continuously from the
mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a
discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under
high pressure to the
mixing zone, such as to form a
jet stream to entrain
elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the
discharge end without need of adding acid or
salt solution or other coagulation step. The coagulated elastomer and particulate filler composite is fed into the aforesaid continuous compounder for
processing and control of its
moisture level and
Mooney Viscosity. Novel
elastomer composites are produced. Such novel
elastomer composites combine material properties and characteristics, such as choice of filler, elastomer, level of filler loading,
moisture level,
Mooney Viscosity, balance between molecular weight and amount of bound rubber, and
macro-dispersion not previously achieved.