Studies on functionalized polysiloxanes poly isobutylene based dispersing agents in improving the dispersion of silica in the polymer matrix for developing Eco friendly tyres

Abstract

Introduction of the energy tyre by Michelin in 1992 with silica as a newlinereinforcing filler which claimed 20 lesser rolling resistance and improved newlinewet grip paved the way for the silica tyres A major drawback with silica as a reinforcing filler is faced during the mixing of the silica with the polymer owing to the difference in polarity between polar silica hydrophilic and the non polar general purpose rubber hydrophobic which results in strong silica silica interaction and poor polymer silica interaction Silica silica interactions lead to poor dispersion of the silica in the polymer matrix with large agglomerates and least inter agglomerates distance which deteriorate the mechanical and dynamic properties of the silica filled polymer compound To decrease the silica silica interaction and improve the dispersion usage of various coupling agents covering agents functionalized polymer etc were investigated over the past four decades In this study the effect of different functionalized polydimethyl siloxane and poly isobutylene succinic anhydride in improving the dispersion of silica in the SBR matrix is analysed newline newline