F-SSBR and SSBR for High Performance Tires: Reinforcement and Dynamic Properties of Silica-Based Tire Tread Compounds

摘要

An evaluation focusing on SSBR structure and functionalization, the correlation between their viscoelastic properties, and the reinforcement and dynamic properties of silica-based tire tread compounds was conducted. Several SSBR designed for high performance tires were prepared and evaluated using a standard passenger car radial formulation. The oil-extended SSBR (OE-SSBR) and functionalized SSBR (F-SSBR) polymers have performance advantages over the suitable OE-SSBR and F-SSBR controls for high performance silica-based tire tread compounds. Solprene~R 7101 is a well-balanced, oil-extended, medium styrene/high vinyl SSBR that provides excellent all-around performance. The silica-based tire tread compound prepared with Solprene~R 7101 show improved wear and rolling resistance, without sacrificing wet/dry/ice traction performance. Solprene~R 7201 is a well-balanced, oil-extended high styrene/medium vinyl SSBR that provides excellent all-around performance. The silica-based tire tread compound prepared with Solprene~R 7201 show improved wear resistance and wet traction, and enhanced low rolling resistance. Solprene~R 7301 and 7302 are both medium styrene/high vinyl, chain-end functionalized SSBR with varying degree of MW. The silica-based tire tread compounds prepared with Solprene~R 7301 and 7302 meet or exceed the performance of suitable market references. We found that both structural and functionalization characteristics show a pronounced impact on dynamic properties, accompanied by increased reinforcement efficiency. The dynamic properties predicted an improved balance of tire tread performance for each end-use application, including excellent low rolling resistance, better wear, and high wet traction.