Stable ion bond for high damping, high wet resistance, and low rolling resistance high vinyl polybutadiene rubber‐based dicarboxylate ionomer

Abstract

AbstractSince the implementation of European Union (EU) tire label, the focus of recent attention has been focused on high performance green tire with low rolling resistance, high wet resistance, low noise, and excellent auto‐braking properties. However, it is a significant challenge to simultaneously achieve these performances for rubber materials. In this research, we developed a novel concept on the construction of stable ion bonds for high performance high vinyl polybutadiene rubber (HVBR)‐based dicarboxylate ionomers. HVBR‐based dicarboxylate sodium ionomer (hereafter referred as Na ionomer) was fabricated through complexation reaction of some or all of carboxylic functional groups on the preprepared maleinized HVBR molecular chains with sodium hydroxide. In the case of Na ionomers, the formation of sodium carboxylate group was certified from Fourier transform infrared spectra. Physical and dynamic mechanical measurements indicated that the tensile strength, wear resistance, wet skid resistance, dry sliding resistance, low rolling resistance, and low heat buildup of the Na ionomer were significantly improved compared to that of HVBR, and Na ionomer simultaneously showed better damping properties and the effective damping temperature range was broadened from −8.8 to 30.1°C, which was closer to the room temperature. Consequently, the approach and results collectively represent a significant advance toward the development of high performance green tire rubber materials.