Enhancing the Mechanical Performance of Laminated Silicone Bearings With Fumed Silica and Selected Primers

Compared with conventional elastomers, silicone elastomers offer superior thermal stability, durability, and enhanced resistance to environmental factors, making them promising candidates for seismic isolation bearing elastomers. However, their relatively low hardness and weak bonding potential have hindered their widespread application. In this context, this study examines the effect of fumed silica as a reinforcing filler on enhancing the mechanical properties of silicone elastomers, as well as the influence of three selected primers on the interlayer bond strength in laminated silicone bearings. Shore A hardness tests revealed that fumed silica increased hardness by up to 185%, with CX32-2036 cured silicone elastomers demonstrating superior performance. Lap shear tests revealed that the AQ1 primer improved the bond strength by up to 400%, particularly when combined with CX32-2036 cured elastomers. Quasi-static shear tests confirmed that prototypes fabricated with optimized filler and primer combinations exhibited excellent hysteretic behavior, consistent damping ratio, and stable shear stiffness. These findings demonstrate the potential of silicone elastomers, enhanced with fillers and primers, as effective materials for next-generation seismic isolation bearings. Further studies are recommended to evaluate long-term durability and dynamic performance under real-world conditions.