The mechanical and viscoelastic properties of SSBR vulcanizates filled with organically modified montmorillonite and silica

The mechanical and the dynamic rheological behavior of solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) filled with compounding fillers organic montmorillonite (OMMT)/silica (SiO2) were studied. The mechanical properties of the vulcanizates could be improved by incorporation of low OMMT contents, and the best reinforcement effect appeared when 7 phr (parts per hundred rubber) OMMT was added. Moreover, due to the formation of the exfoliated silicate platelet in the matrix, a strong cooperative reinforcement effect to the vulcanizate could be gained for the vulcanizate containing 7 phr OMMT and 20 phr SiO2. Incorporation of SiO2 up to 50 phr to the vulcanizates with or without OMMT resulted in marked reinforcement effect, and the best mechanical properties were obtained for 7 phr OMMT filled composites. On the other hand, compounding fillers OMMT/SiO2 significantly influences the dynamic mechanical behavior of the vulcanizates. It was found that the compounding filler with a certain composition facilitated preparing SSBR vulcanizates with optimized wet traction, rolling resistance, and strength properties.