Impact of Filler Surface Modification on Large Scale Mechanics of Styrene Butadiene/Silica Rubber Composites

TLDR: In this article, the surface energies and polarities of filler particles with different modified surfaces were measured by a modified Wilhelmy technique, and a moving die rheometer was employed to observe the filler flocculation at elevated temperatures (160 °C) in rubber mixtures.

Abstract: In material science of elastomers the influence of nanoscale and nanostructured filler particles is of utmost significance for the performance of innovative rubber products, i.e., passenger car tires with ultralow rolling resistance but high wet-grip performance. A better understanding of the physical characteristics of the filler–rubber interface and the filler–rubber interphase as well is necessary to improve the overall macroscopic properties of these elastomeric nanocomposites. Therefore, the surface energies and polarities of filler particles with different modified surfaces were measured by a modified Wilhelmy technique. In all cases the rubber matrix consisted of a solution - styrene butadiene copolymers, filled with 20 or 40 phr pyrogenic or precipitated silica grades with different surface modifications by silanes, and a carbon black sample as reference. A moving die rheometer was employed to observe the filler flocculation at elevated temperatures (160 °C) in rubber mixtures containing no curati...