Modified Styrene-Butadiene Rubber for Enhanced Polymer-Filler Interaction and Reduced Hysteresis

Styrene-butadiene rubber was chemically modified to introduce polar functional groups along the polymer chain. The influence of degree of polymer functionality on properties of silica-reinforced compounds was investigated. Functionality identification and macrostructure changes of the modified polymers were determined by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy), GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography), and dynamic rheology techniques. The interaction of filler and polymer was studied using bound rubber, extent of filler networking (Payne effect), and dynamic mechanical analysis. The modified rubbers can be used to lower dynamic hysteresis (tanδ) for rubber compounds and to reduce rolling resistance of tires.