The effects of dispersant composition in wet masterbatch system on the silica / Styrene-Butadiene Rubber compound

Abstract

The silica content at a mixed rubber in high-performance tires has been over 100 phr, recently. However, as the silica content increases, it is difficult to solve a problem such as the silica dispersity. Therefore, in this study, dispersants were prepared to improve the silica dispersity of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compound. Dispersants were synthesized by the copolymerization of itaconic acid with various comonomer such as acrylic acid (AA), vinylsulfonic acid (VSA), or acrylamide (AAM). The structure of dispersant was confirmed using FT-IR. The properties of silica/SBR compound were evaluated using optimized dispersants. The study of silica/SBR composite properties was carried out according to the comonomer ratio of dispersant and input content of silica. The silica content of the silica/SBR composite was determined using thermogravimetric analysis. We also investigated the curing properties, mechanical properties, morphology, payne effect, and abrasion characteristics of silica/SBR compounds.