Research and development of new polymer materials has been intensively focused on the use of alternative fillers in recent years. In this direction, types of fillers that have a natural character with the required ecological factors and at the same time meet functional properties when incorporated into polymers are attractive. An alternative is the use of cellulose microfibers in elastomeric materials as a reinforcing element in a rubber matrix. An important factor in the incorporation of cellulose is its uniform dispersion without areas in the microstructure of the elastomeric material, with a significant occurrence of agglomerates, and the presence of adhesion between the surface of the cellulose microfibers and the elastomeric matrix. For this purpose, a physical method of surface treatment of this alternative filler was used in laboratory autoclave conditions using an aqueous medium at an elevated temperature of 121 ˚C and an elevated pressure of 2 bar. As a result of such treatment, changes are present in the micromorphology of the cellulose surface in order to improve mechanical adhesion with the elastomeric matrix. For evaluation the surface changes of cellulose and its adhesion, the tensile test method was used in combination with scanning electron microscopy.

Acknowledgement: This research work has been supported by the Operational Program Integrated Infrastructure, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund by the project: Advancement and support of R&D for "Centre for diagnostics and quality testing of materials" in the domains of the RIS3 SK specialization, Acronym: CEDITEK II., ITMS2014+ code 313011W442 and by Scientific Grant Agency VEGA 1/0265/24.