Synergetic effect of aramid nanofiber-graphene oxide hybrid filler on the properties of rubber compounds for tire tread application

The properties of rubber compounds used in tire tread largely contribute to the overall performance of tires in vehicles. Among the various ingredients used, reinforcing fillers are known for having the most significant effect on the static and dynamic properties of rubber compounds. In this work, two strong nanoscale materials, aramid nanofibers (ANFs) and graphene oxides (GOs), are modified using a silane coupling agent and combined to form a novel hybrid filler. The functionalized ANF/GO (fANF/GO) hybrid filler is obtained by adding functionalized GOs (fGOs) into functionalized ANFs (fANFs). The fANF/GO reinforced rubber compounds are then fabricated and tested to investigate the effect of the novel hybrid filler on mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. The prepared rubber compounds using hybrid fillers exhibit improved mechanical properties and abrasion resistance compared to rubber compounds only reinforced using fANF or fGO alone and reference compounds. Moreover, dynamic mechanical analysis reveals a 21.8% decrease in the rolling resistance of fANF/GO reinforced rubber samples while preserving wet grip performance. Thus, this research demonstrates the potential of the ANFs and GOs-based functionalized hybrid fillers for the application of high-performance tire treads.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that using modified aramid nanofibers and graphene oxides as hybrid fillers in rubber compounds significantly improves mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, while reducing rolling resistance by 21.8% without compromising wet grip performance.