Understanding the Influence of Oligomeric Resins on Traction and Rolling Resistance of Silica-Reinforced Tire Treads

Abstract

This study concerns the silica reinforcement of styrene-butadiene rubber compounds for passenger car tire treads, with the objective of gaining greater insight into the beneficial effects of oligomeric resins. The major tire performance factors predicted are rolling resistance and (wet) skid resistance measured on a laboratory scale. Three types of resins were tested: a polyterpene, a terpene-phenolic, and a pure vinyl-aromatic hydrocarbon resin, at various concentrations, namely, 2, 4, and 6 parts per hundred of rubber (phr). Laboratory scale dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Mooney viscosity, cure meter, and tensile and hardness tests were used to assess the behavior of these resins in the rubber and to characterize the processibility of the compounds. The DMA shows that the resins and rubber compounds are partially compatible for the low resin quantities used. The tan d loss factor versus temperature was used as an indication for wet skid and rolling resistance. The shift to a higher temperature in the tan d peak, due to the contribution of the tan d peak shift of the resins, is the reason for improved wet skid performance. A maximum improvement of about 35% in the wet skid region (0 8C-30 8C) is found. The improved tan d at 60 8C, indicative for rolling resistance, accounts for reduced interaction between filler particles. This is also confirmed by a decrease in the Payne effect. A maximum improvement of about 15% is found in the rolling resistance temperature range, dependent on the particular choice of the resin.

Biologically sustainable rubber resin and rubber‐filler promoter: a precursor study

“…The elongation at break gradually decreased, which is attributed to the increase in cross‐link density, and the molecular slippage phenomena are suppressed with increasing bio‐resin content. Molecular slippage takes place at medium strain when the load is transmitted via cross‐linked polymer chains . The significant reinforcement of HDS formation is caused by BR‐FNR coupled with ENR.…”

“…Increasing bio‐resin content, the glass‐transition temperature shifted to a higher temperature. Accordingly, the intermolecular interactions between aromatic and epoxy groups of adjacent NR macromolecules result in a constraint of polymer chain relaxations and an increase in the material stiffness . The bio‐resin at 3% gave the right set of loss tangent values (0 and 60°C), the peak temperature (shift by few degrees towards higher temperature) and the reduced peak which are much favored in the end use application.…”

“…Kaewsakul et al stated the role of epoxide functionality on silica reinforcement and reduction or possible replacement of conventional silane coupling agent . On the other hand, ENR is the most favored rubber for the construction of green tire tread due to the low rolling resistance combined with high traction properties . Epoxidized natural rubber alone cannot deliver the properties to competition with those of silica‐bis(triethoxysilyl propyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT) filled NR .…”

Incorporation of Oligomeric Hydrocarbon Resins for Improving the Properties of Aircraft Tire Retreads

“…The effect in the SI-filled compounds is clearly the result of the chemical bonding of the rubber molecules to the silica surface by the coupling agent TESPT versus far less strong physical adhesion for the CB-reinforced compounds. It restricts release/adhesion or segmental motions of polymer segments on the filler surface and thus reduces mechanical loss phenomena on a molecular scale [24]. The filler-rubber interaction present in the SI-filled compounds acts in a similar manner as multifunctional chemical crosslinkers, next to the crosslinks created by sulfur vulcanization.…”

An Investigation on the Thermally Induced Compatibilization of SBR and α-Methylstyrene/Styrene Resin

“…The specifications of applicative materials are generally obtained by blending polymers of different chemical and physical characteristics [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Their miscibility is a crucial parameter to reach the targeted properties [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In the tire industry, rubbers are particularly subjected to an adjustment of their viscoelastic properties by their blending with another polymer [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”