INFLUENCES OF THE COMPATIBILITY OF NR/SSBR AND PHASE-SELECTIVE DISTRIBUTION OF SILICA ON ITS STATIC AND DYNAMIC PROPERTIES

摘要

The compatibility between solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR 2466) and natural rubber (NR) is characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The single glass transition (T-g) in the entire temperature range of all NR/SSBR blends and good correlation between T-g and SSBR fraction prove the excellent compatibility between SSBR 2466 and NR. With increasing SSBR content, a reduced Payne effect, more homogeneous dispersion of silica, stronger rubber-filler interaction, and more silica selectively distributed in the SSBR phase were determined via rubber-processing analysis, transmission electron microscopy, bound rubber, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The high vinyl content, low styrene content, and end-functionalized structure of SS BR play vital roles in promoting its compatibility with NR and a stronger rubber-silica linkage. The resulting increased tan delta at 0 degrees C and low tan delta at 60 degrees C indicate good wet-skid resistance and low rolling resistance by blending SSBR 2466, and 70/30 NR/SSBR is the best balance for producing a "green tire" tread.