Tannin-Treated Water for use in the Emulsion Polymerization of SBR. Effect of Ageing on Mechanical Properties

The water used as the reaction medium in the emulsion polymerization of SBR was treated with a tannin-based derivative. The rubbers obtained were compounded and compared with a reference composition prepared with a rubber polymerized in water treated according to the conventional aluminum sulfate method. Mechanical properties, before and after ageing, were evaluated and were found to be of comparable magnitude, as long as no excess tannin is present in the emulsion reaction medium.