• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.129-137
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• 2022

Low molecular weight liquid butadiene rubber (LqBR) is a processing aid that can resolve the migration problem of tire tread compounds. Various studies are being conducted to replace the petroleum-based processing oil with LqBR. However, the effect of the loading time of LqBR in the compounding process on silica dispersion and vulcanizate properties is not well known. In this study, we analyzed silica dispersion, vulcanizate properties, and viscoelastic properties of silica-filled tire tread compound according to the processing aid type (TDAE oil, non-functional LqBR) and, silane terminated LqBR) and input timing. In the non-functional LqBR compounds, the 'with TESPT' mixing procedure showed excellent dynamic viscoelastic properties while silane-terminated LqBR compounds showed that the 'after TESPT' mixing procedure was good for 300% modulus and abrasion resistance.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.399-404
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• 2018

This study compared the tackiness and adhesion of different tire tread compounds and rubber cements before and after vulcanization. The tackiness of natural rubber (NR) cement was the highest for all tread compounds before vulcanization, and the decrease in tackiness of NR cements over time was smaller than that of synthetic rubber cements. The tackiness before vulcanization was affected by the glass transition temperature of the rubber used in the cement and the decrease in tackiness over time of NR was smaller compared to that of using the synthetic rubber. The adhesion of NR-based cements after vulcanization was high for NR tread compounds but low for synthetic rubber tread compounds. On the contrary, the adhesion of emulsion (SBR) and solution SBR cements was high on all tread compounds which was shown to be higher when the rate of vulcanization of cement rubber was lower.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.243-249
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• 2021

The demand for truck bus radial (TBR) tires with enhanced fuel efficiency and wear resistance have grown in recent years. In addition, as the issue of particulate matter and air pollution increases, efforts are being made to reduce the generation of particulate matter. In this study, we investigated the effect of varying the content of butadiene rubber (BR) on the properties of the rubber compounds and the amount of particulate matter in the TBR tire tread compound. Furthermore, we utilized carbon black in the NR/BR blend compounds owing to its excellent compatibility, and we used silica in the ENR-25/BR blend compounds because it can interact chemically with epoxide groups. The NR/BR blend compounds and the ENR-25/BR blend compounds were evaluated by varying their BR content between 20 phr and 30 phr. The results showed that the ENR-25/BR blend compounds had superior wear resistance than the NR/BR blend compounds. This was caused by the interaction between silica and ENR. In addition, it was confirmed that the increased wear resistance as the BR content increased. Furthermore, compared to the NR/BR blend compounds, ENR-25/BR blend compounds exhibited a lower tan 𝛿 value at 60℃ because silica was used as filler. This indicates a higher fuel efficiency. The measurement results for wear particulate matter showed that as increasing the BR content resulted in generation of less wear particulate matter. This was caused by the increased wear resistance. Moreover, the ENR-25/BR blend compounds with excellent filler-rubber interaction exhibited lower quantities of generated wear particulate matters as compared to the NR/BR blend compounds.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.161-172
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• 2023

Because particulate matter has emerged as a major contributor to air pollution, the tire industry has conducted studies to reduce particulate matters from tires by improving tire performance. In this study, we compared the conventional blending method, in which rubber, filler, and additives are mixed simultaneously, to the Y-blending method, in which masterbatches are blended. We manufactured carbon black (CB)-filled natural rubber (NR)/butadiene rubber (BR) blend and silica-filled epoxidized NR/BR blend compounds to compare the effects of the two blending methods on the physical properties of the compounds and the amount of particulate matter generated. The Y-blending method provided uniform filler distribution in the heterogeneous rubber matrix, improved processability, and exhibited low rolling resistance. This method also improved physical properties owing to the excellent filler-rubber interaction. The results obtained from measuring the generation of particulate matter indicated that, the Y-blending method reduced PM_2.5 particulate matter generation from the CB-filled and silica-filled compounds by 38% and 60%, and that of PM₁₀ by 29% and 67%, respectively. This confirmed the excellence of the Y-blending method regarding the physical properties of truck bus radial tire tread compounds and reduced particulate matter generated.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.156-176
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• 1999

Rubber chemicals such as accelerators, antidegradants, vulcanizing agents, processing agents and retarders are very important to the production and protection of tires and rubber goods. The use of accelerators and antidegradants are evaluated in various tire components. This paper will focus on how to vulcanize tires economically and maintain the physical properties of each tire component without severe degradation due to oxygen, heat and ozone. Also, new non-nitrosoamine accelerators and non-staining antiozonants will be discussed. Lastly, the future requirements of antidegradants and accelerators in the tire industry will be reviewed. Tires have been vulcanized with Sulfenamides as primary accelerators and either Guamdine's or Thiurams as secondary accelerators to achieve proper properties at service conditions. However, interior components such as the carcass can be vulcanized with Thiazoles as a primary accelerator to cure faster than the external components. Using the combination of Sulfenamide with secondary accelerators in a tire tread compound and the combination of a Thiazole and Guanidine in a carcass compound will be presented with performance data. Uniroyal Chemical and another Rubber Chemical Manufacturer have developed, "Tetrabenzyl Thiuram Disulfide," (TBzTD) as a non-Nitrosoamine accelerator, which could replace Nitrosoamine generating Thiurams. This new accelerator has been evaluated in a tread compound as a secondary accelerator. Also, Flexsys has developed N-t-butyl-2-benzothiazole Sulfenamide (TBSI) as a non-Nitrosoamine accelerator which could replace 2-(Morpholinothio) -benzothiazole (MBS), a scorch delayed Sulfendamide accelerator. TBSI has been evaluated in a Natural Rubber (NR) belt skim compound vs. MBS. An optimum low rolling resistant cure system has been developed in a NR tread with Dithiomorpholine (DTDM). Also, future requirements for developing accelerators will be discussed such as the replacement of DTDM and other stable crosslink systems. Antidegradants are divided into two different types for use in tire compounds. Internal tire compounds such as apex, carcass, liner, wire breaker, cushion, base tread and bead compounds are protected by antioxidants against degradation from oxygen and heat due to mechanical shear. The external components such as sidewall, chafer and cap tread com-pounds are protected from ozone by antiozonants and waxes. Various kinds of staining and non-staining antioxidants have been evaluated in a tire carcass compound. Also, various para-phenylene diamine antiozonants have been evaluated in a tire sidewall compound to achieve the improved lifetime of the tire. New non-staining antiozonants such as 2, 4, 6-tris-(N-1, 4-dimethylpentyl-p-phenylene diamine) 1, 3, 5 Trizine (D-37) and un-saturated Acetal (AFS) will be discussed in the tire sidewall to achieve better appearance. The future requirements of antidegradants will be presented to improve tire performance such as durability, better appearance and longer lasting tires.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2024

As regulations on greenhouse gas emission have strengthened globally, the demand for improved fuel efficiency in automobiles continues to rise. In response, the tire industry is actively conducting research to improve fuel efficiency by enhancing tire performance. In this study, silica-filled epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)/butadiene rubber (BR) blend compounds were manufactured according to ENR types and silica contents, and their physical properties and vulcanizate structure were evaluated. ENR-50, which has a higher epoxide content than ENR-25, exhibited stronger filler-rubber interaction, resulting in superior abrasion resistance. In addition, because of its high glass transition temperature (T_g), the wet grip performance of ENR-50 improved, even though the rolling resistance increased. Increasing the amount of silica had little effect on the abrasion resistance due to the increase in filler-rubber interaction and decrease in toughness. In addition, ENR-50 exhibited better wet grip performance; however, the rolling resistance increased. The results indicated that truck bus radial (TBR) tire tread compounds can be designed by applying ENR-50 to improve wear resistance and wet grip performance. In addition, by applying ENR-25 and reducing the silica contents improve fuel efficiency.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2013

In this study, effect of different amounts of sulfur and vulcanization accelerators in the acrylonitrile styrene-butadiene rubber (AN-SBR)/silica compounds on the properties of tire tread compound were studied. As a result, cure rate and degree of cross-linking of the compounds were increased due to enhanced cross-linking reactivity by the increased amounts of sulfur and vulcanization accelerators. Also, abrasion resistance and the mechanical properties such as hardness and modulus of the compounds were improved by enhanced degree of cross-linking of the compounds. For the dynamic properties, tan ${\delta}$ value at $0^{\circ}C$ was increased due to the increase of glass transition temperature ($T_g$) by enhanced degree of cross-linking of the compound, and tan ${\delta}$ value at $60^{\circ}C$ was decreased. Initial cure time ($t_1$) showed the linear relationship with tan ${\delta}$ value at $60^{\circ}C$. This result is attributed that reduced initial cure time ($t_1$) of compounds by applying increased amount of curatives can form cross-linking in early stage of vulcanization that may suppress development of filler network. This result is verified by observation on the surface of annealed compounds using AFM (atomic force microscopy). Consequently, decreased initial cure time is considered a very important parameter to reduce tan ${\delta}$ at $60^{\circ}C$ through reduced re-agglomeration of silica particles.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2020

Silica-styrene butadiene rubber (Silica-SBR) compounds have been used in the preparation of tire treads. The silica dispersibility of silica-SBR compounds is related to the processability, mechanical properties, and wear resistance of tires. Recently, in order to improve the silica dispersibility of the silica-SBR compounds, the wet masterbatch (WMB) process was introduced, which is a method of mixing rubber in the water phase. We aimed to improve the silica dispersibility of the silica-SBR compounds by preparing a silica dispersant applicable to the WMB process. For this purpose, cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate were employed as a silica dispersant. The silica dispersibility of the compounds was measured by a moving die rheometer. Improvement in the processability of silica-SBR compounds was evaluated by the Mooney viscometer. The wear resistance of silica-SBR compounds using a cellulose dispersant was improved by up to 29%.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.776-784
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• 2009

N,N-dimethyldodecylamine (tertiary amine)-modified MMT (DDA-MMT) was prepared as an organically modified layered silicate (OLS), after which styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites reinforced with the OLS were manufactured via the latex method. The layer distance of the OLS and the morphology of the nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). By increasing the amount of N,N-dimethyldodecylamine (DDA) up to 2.5 g, the maximum values of torque, tensile strength and wear resistance of the SBR nanocomposites were increased due to the increased dispersion of the silicate layers in the rubber matrix and the increased crosslinking of the SBR nanocomposites by DDA itself. When SBR nanocomposites were manufactured by using the ternary filler system (carbon black/silica/OLS) to improve their dynamic properties as a tire tread compound, the tan $\delta$(at $0^{\circ}C$ and $60^{\circ}C$) property of the compounds was improved by using metal stearates instead of stearic acid. The mechanical properties and wear resistance were increased by direct substitution of calcium stearate for stearic acid because the filler-rubber interaction was increased by the strong ionic effect between the calcium cation and silicates with anionic surface. However, as the amount of calcium stearate was further increased above 0.5 phr, the mechanical properties and wear resistance were degraded due to the lubrication effect of the excessive amount of calcium stearate. Consequently, the SBR/organoclay nanocomposites that used carbon black, silica, and organoclay as their ternary filler system showed excellent dynamic properties, mechanical properties and wear resistance as a tire tread compound for passenger cars when 0.5 phr of calcium stearate was substituted for the conventionally used stearic acid.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2020

Silica/SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) compounds are the primary constituents of tire treads. Furthermore, the excellent dynamic viscoelastic properties of silica lead to good fuel efficiencies. However, the silanol group on the surface of silica does not mix well with non-polar rubber because of its polarity. This incompatibility causes aggregation due to the occurrence of hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl groups, thereby reducing the dispersibility of silica. Recently, the wet master batch (WMB) process has been applied to overcome these disadvantages, and research on silica dispersants that can be used in the WMB process has been increasing. In this study, we prepared silica/SBR compounds by using three types of eco-friendly cellulose-based dispersants in the WMB process, namely: cellulose-, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and nanocellulose-based dispersants. Subsequently, we compared the vulcanization characteristics, viscoelastic properties, and mechanical properties of the compounds. The silica dispersibility in the rubber compounds was improved with the addition of the nano-cellulose dispersant, resulting in the enhancement of the workability, hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance of the SBR compound.