Synergistic effect of Tween 20 and TESPT compatibilizers on the performance characteristics of latex imprinted silica-reinforced green tyre tread formulation

Abstract

The present study has a prime goal to develop a green tyre tread formulation with enhanced performance characteristics including low rolling resistance, improved wet grip, low heat build-up and enhanced mechanical properties which are essential for a high-performance tyre tread compound. A base formulation of natural rubber/polybutadiene (NR/BR) blend with minimum carbon filler was formulated initially without compromising the physical properties much by balancing the properties by incorporating precipitated silica. Enhanced surface area for silica was obtained through the latex imprinting method which had an ultimate effect on the interaction between the matrix macromolecules and filler particles positively. Further, ENR was used as a compatibilizing agent to upgrade physical properties in terms of 20% improvement in tensile and around 10% improvement in tear strength. Additional improvement in physical as well as rolling resistance performance was achieved via the incorporation of coupling agents including TESPT and polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20). Apart from the improvement in mechanical properties, rolling resistance and heat build-up properties are promising for the final tyre tread formulation as both the values tend to reduce considerably by 35% and 63% respectively concerning the base formulation.