Functionalization: a Key Differential Factor in the Design of SSBRs for High Performance Tires

摘要

The design of low rolling resistance tires is an important issue for current and future mobility.Next generation of tires will enable the setting to meet greenhouse effect gases legislation targets establish in the European Union.Functionalized SSBRs contribute to improve rolling resistance,wet grip and abrasion of tires.In this presentation is described the functionalization strategy followed by Dynasol Group to select the functional groups incorporated to the SSBRs.A molecular simulation methodology was developed to determine the most appropriate functional groups required in the SSBRs in order to have a strong interaction between the functionalized SSBR and the silica.Functionalized SSBRs were synthetized using different routes(end-chain,alpha,omega-and in-chain).A novel synthesis route is reported in this paper using functionalized monomers with protected groups where the protected groups are activated during the vulcanization step.In the second part of this work is presented the evaluation of different type of functionalized SSBRs in tire tread compound formulations based on silica.It is reported that the presence of functional groups in the SSBRs improved key physical and dynamic mechanical properties of the compounds.