Effect of montmorillonite on abrasion resistance of SiO2-filled polybutadiene

Abstract

The effect of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) and silane coupling agent on the abrasion resistance of SiO 2 -filled butadiene rubber (BR) vulcanizates has been investigated. Various amounts of OMMT are added into SiO 2 -filled BR vulcanizates. A silane coupling agent, bis-(3-triethoxysilyl propyl) tetrasulfide (Si69), is used to modify OMMT during the masterbatch preparation for evaluating the influence of surface treatment on the abrasion resistance. Incorporation of OMMT into BR results in deterioration of the abrasion resistance as compared to unfilled BR vulcanizate due to poor dispersion of OMMT and insufficient interfacial adhesion between OMMT and BR matrix. The use of Si69 improves dispersion of OMMT particles and rubber/OMMT adhesion, resulting in abrasion resistance enhancement of BR/OMMT vulcanizates. By using similar compounding conditions as those for BR/OMMT vulcanizate, nanodispersion of OMMT in BR/SiO 2 /OMMT vulcanizate has been achieved as judged by the high viscosity of the SiO 2 -filled BR compound. This improved dispersion leads to better abrasion resistance of the BR/SiO 2 /OMMT than that of the BR/SiO 2 composite. Utilization of Si69 slightly affects the DIN volume loss of BR/SiO 2 /OMMT vulcanizates and the abrasion pattern. © 2012 Taylor and Francis.