Effects Of Silane Agents And Curing Temperatures On Vulcanizate Structures

Silane coupling agents are commonly used in silica-filled rubber compounds to hydrophobize the silica surface and improve filler-rubber interaction. The coupling agent bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (TESPT) is the most widely used coupling agent. The tetrasulfide is more reactive than the disulfide in bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]disulfide (TESPD) due to its low decomposition energy, resulting in more coupling reaction with rubber molecules. Meanwhile, vulcanization temperature affects chemical networks. Polysulfide is vulnerable to heat, so it can be easily broken to form shorter crosslinks. Compounds with TESPD or TESPT were vulcanized at 160 and 180 degrees C. In addition to the decomposition, the reactivity of the silanes was confirmed from the cure characteristics of the compounds without the curatives. TESPD could also cause a coupling reaction without the curatives such as TESPT known to release free sulfur. By analyzing vulcanizate structures, total crosslink density was separated into chemical crosslink density and filler-rubber networks. Applying TESPT or vulcanizing at 180 degrees C increased the filler-rubber networks, and the higher vulcanization temperature decreased the chemical crosslink density. By correlating physical properties, effects of the vulcanizate structures on performance of tread compounds were investigated. The filler-rubber interaction was dominant for wet traction and mechanical properties in tensile test. The chemical crosslink density affected rolling resistance.