English Abstract

The Chemistry and the Reinforcement of the Silica-Silane Filler System Kenji MATSUZAWA Rubber Chemicals Division, Degussa Japan Co.,Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2005),78(6),211-217 General Review in Japanese Abstract It is demonstrated that the use of silane coupling agents in silica-filled rubber compounds results in a strong increase in reinforcement. This increase in reinforcement is due to the formation of silica-silane-rubber bonds. The mixing is a key process for the optimized bond formation. Both the silica-rubber coupling and the matrix crosslinking proceeds during the vulcanization of compounds. Therefore, the two crosslinking networks are formed, which cannot be varied independently. In the case of the silica-rubber coupling, this immobilization of rubber on the surface of the silica results in the formation of gin-rubber structureh. In addition to these chemical networks, which result in high moduli at all strains, the physical silica-silica networks also contribute to the modulus at low strains. The major application of the silica-silane filler system is modern passenger tread compounds for reduced fuel consumption and strongly improved wet traction. Besides tire applications, this unique filler system is also used in various industrial rubber goods. The system will continuously contribute to further improvement in the performance of rubber compounds. Keywords: precipitated silica, silane coupling agent, silanization, Payne effect, silica-silane filler system

Close