Premium
Polar copolymer–surface‐modified precipitated silica
Author(s) -
O'Haver John H.,
Harwell Jeffrey H.,
Evans Larry R.,
Waddell Walter H.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4628(19960228)59:9<1427::aid-app10>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - materials science , copolymer , natural rubber , monomer , acrylonitrile , vulcanization , polymerization , tear resistance , polymer chemistry , surface modification , adsorption , chemical engineering , pulmonary surfactant , styrene butadiene , polymer , methyl methacrylate , precipitated silica , styrene , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
To improve the performance of rubber compounds using precipitated silica as a reinforcing filler, the silica surface was directly modified by (1) adsorption of a surfactant onto the surface, (2) adsolubilization of an organic monomer, (3) in situ polymerization of the monomer in the surfactant bilayer, and (4) partial surfactant removal. Silica was thus modified using copolymers of isoprene or 1,3‐butadiene with vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, 4‐methoxystyrene, 4‐chlorostyrene, and methyl methacrylate on the silica surface. 4‐Methoxystyrene/butadiene modification afforded the most promising candidate based on evaluation in a silica‐filled, natural/styrene‐butadiene rubber shoe sole compound that also has been used as a model tire compound. Physical testing showed that cure times were decreased, and break strength, tear energy, elongation to break, and cut growth resistance were increased. Thus, surface modification of silica by the in situ polymerization of organic monomers has been shown to be a flexible process capable of producing unique materials useful in improving rubber cure properties and the cured compound physical properties. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.