New Insights in the Dynamical Properties of Precipitated Silica filled Rubber using a New High Surface Silica

At the beginning of the 90’s, Zeosil®1165MP highly dispersible silica, combined with a coupling agent, a specific elastomer and an adapted rubber process technology enabled the development of the Green Tire. This breakthrough was due, as well known now, to the improvement of rolling resistance and wet traction without reducing wear resistance. Today, Rhodia launches a new silica generation : Zeosil® Premium 200 MP. Zeosil® Premium is a 200m²/g silica with good dispersibility, offering an unique morphology, resulting from a novel compromise between silica aggregate size and
elementary particle size Zeosil® Premium 200 MP vulcanizates, at isohardness, allow to achieve an optimised balance between rolling resistance, handling and wear resistance
compared to others silica filled vulcanized rubbers. This silica leads to improve our Payne effect comprehension far from the glass transition temperature. Based on the literature for the carbon blacks and the coupled highly dispersible silicas, the loss factor could be described using the loading interfacial area (SSA x Q x Q). The behaviour of Z Premium 200 MP vulcanizates leads to identify that the minimal distance between pseudo-fractal shapes of aggregates is an additional key factor. Our Payne Effect interpretation using the glassy-like rubber layer around the coupled silica aggregates is confirmed.