Influence of Silane Coupling Agent on Properties of Filled Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Compounds

Influence of Silane Coupling Agent on Properties of Filled Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Compounds

Influence of silane coupling agent, bis-(3-(triethoxisilyl)-propyl)-tetrassulfide, on cure characteristics and bound rubber content of filled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds and on physical properties of the vulcanizates was studied. Carbon black-filled and silica-filled compounds were compared. Content of the bound rubber increased with increased content of the silane coupling agent and this trend was shown more clearly in the silica-filled compounds. Optimum cure time of the carbon black-filled compound increased with increase of the silane content, while that of the silica-filled one decreased. Cure rate of the carbon black-filled compound became slower as the silane content increased while that of the silica-filled one became faster. By increasing the silane content, the minimum torque decreased and the delta torque increased. Physical properties of the silica-filled vulcanizate were found to be improved by adding the silane coupling agent. However, for the carbon black-filled vulcanizates, the tensile strength and tear resistance decreased with increase of the silane content. The differences between the carbon black-filled and silica-filled compounds were explained by difference in the reactivities of the fillers with the silane.