The mechanical and viscoelastic properties of SSBR vulcanizates filled with organically modified montmorillonite and silica

The mechanical and the dynamic rheological behavior of solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) filled with compounding fillers organic montmorillonite (OMMT)/silica (SiO₂) were studied. The mechanical properties of the vulcanizates could be improved by incorporation of low OMMT contents, and the best reinforcement effect appeared when 7 phr (parts per hundred rubber) OMMT was added. Moreover, due to the formation of the exfoliated silicate platelet in the matrix, a strong cooperative reinforcement effect to the vulcanizate could be gained for the vulcanizate containing 7 phr OMMT and 20 phr SiO₂. Incorporation of SiO₂ up to 50 phr to the vulcanizates with or without OMMT resulted in marked reinforcement effect, and the best mechanical properties were obtained for 7 phr OMMT filled composites. On the other hand, compounding fillers OMMT/SiO₂ significantly influences the dynamic mechanical behavior of the vulcanizates. It was found that the compounding filler with a certain composition facilitated preparing SSBR vulcanizates with optimized wet traction, rolling resistance, and strength properties.