Influence of Particle Type and Silane Coupling Agent on Properties of Particle-Reinforced Styrene-Butadiene Rubber

Silica- and carbon-filled styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) were prepared. The influence of particle type and silane coupling agent on cure characteristics, physical and dynamic mechanical properties of particle-reinforced SBR were investigated. Minimum torque, maximum torque and tensile strength increased with increase of the filler content. The tensile strength and elongation at break were highest for presence of bis-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT) in silica-filled vulcanizates. The dynamic mechanical properties show that tan δ at temperatures of -20-0°C of the SiO ₂TESPT/SBR vulcanizate was highest of all. Tan δ at temperatures of 50-70°C of the SiO ₂TESPT/SBR vulcanizate was lower than carbon-filled SBR.