A feasible method of silica dispersion by introducing a pre-vulcanized gel in the natural rubber matrix

Targeting towards the challenge of global tyre industries of producing green and sustainable tyre, the idea of introducing pre-vulcanized natural rubber (NR) gel into highly silica loaded NR composite may prevail in upcoming days. The high crosslinked pre-vulcanized NR gel was prepared by a sulfur curing system from NR latex. Incorporation of the gel in dry and latex stage mixing assisted in the breaking of agglomerated particles of silica into finer aggregates resulted homogeneous dispersion of silica filler evident from the morphological analysis (FESEM and AFM). Consequently, > 10% reduction in rolling resistance (RR), 12-units reduction in heat build-up (HBU), and > 15% reduction in RR, 24-units reduction in HBU were evident in dry and latex mixing composites, respectively. Furthermore, the drop in viscosity and diminution in die swell of the NR composites indicates a clear improvement in the processing behavior of the gel embedded compounds. Thus, in accordance with the entire performance of the compounds, it can be highly recommended as a heavy vehicle tyre tread compound.

Automated summary

To address the challenge of producing green and sustainable tyres, the concept of incorporating pre-vulcanized natural rubber (NR) gel into highly silica loaded NR composite may become popular. The gel, prepared using a sulfur curing system from NR latex, helped break down agglomerated silica particles and achieve a homogeneous dispersion evident from morphological analysis. This resulted in significant reductions in rolling resistance and heat build-up, as well as improvements in viscosity and processing behavior, making the gel a highly recommended tyre tread compound for heavy vehicles.