CORE-SHELL POLYMERS AS REINFORCING POLYMERIC FILLERS FOR ELASTOMERS

Core-shell polymers with highly cross-linked PMMA-cores and polystyren e shell have been synthesized in emulsion by the ''grafting from'' met hod using azo-modified seed latexes. These core-shell polymers were in corporated into a SBR elastomer matric using a kneader with subsequent crosslinking of the matrix. Stress-strain measurements showed a stron g reinforcing effect of the core-shell polymers on the elastomer matri x. Dynamic mechanical measurements and TEM proved that the polymeric f iller is homogeneously dispersed in the matrix.