Investigation of the elastic and hysteresis properties of tread rubber tires with silica

The influence of different types of silica, differing in quality characteristics, on the complex modulus of rubbers, their elastic modulus, loss modulus, and also on the tangent of angle of mechanical loss are investigated. Mineral fillers silica 1 and silica 2 are introduced at a dosage of 80.00 phr into filled elastomeric compositions based on combination of synthetic styrene-butadiene and polybutadiene rubbers, used for the manufacture of treads for passenger tires. The tests are carried out on a dynamic mechanical analyzer by cyclic compression of vulcanizates in the temperature range 20–70°С. It is established that vulcanizates with silica 2 are characterized by 8–56% lower value of the complex modulus. It is revealed that rubbers containing a silica 2, depending on temperature, have 13–36% lower values of the elastic modulus and 19–46% lower values of the loss modulus in comparison with samples filled with silica 2. It is determined that in the temperature range from 20 to 70°C vulcanizates with silica 2 are characterized by 7–12% lower values of the tangent of angle of mechanical loss. As a result of the study, it is established that it is the most expedient to introduce mineral filler silica 2 into the formulation of tread rubber compounds for passenger tires. This will make it possible to obtain vulcanizates with increased elasticity and adhesion to the road surface, as well as lower heat losses to the environment and fuel consumption.