Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber Tread Compound: The Hybrid Reinforcing Effect of Silica and Silane System
Modification of natural rubber via epoxidation process increases its compatibility with highly polar filler like silica. In this work, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) reinforced with silica compound is evaluated for truck tire tread compound. The rheological, physical and dynamic properties as well as the bound rubber content of ENR-silica tread compound are discussed. The results show that ENR-silica compound has high chemically bound rubber indicating the good interaction and bonding between rubber and silica. In addition, the dynamic test shows the ENR-silica vulcanizate exhibit higher Tan delta at 0 °C and lower tan delta at 60 °C as compared to conventional natural rubber-carbon black vulcanizate, which gives indication of higher wet grip and lower rolling resistance of the ENR vulcanizate. The use of ENR reinforced with silica filler in tread compound is a unique combination that offers renewable material for greener tire application.