RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN RUBBER PROCESSING, LEADING TO NEW APPLICATIONSSUCH AS THE GREEN TYRE

Rubber articles derive most of their mechanical properties from the ad mixture of reinforcing fillers. Most commonly, carbon black is used as reinforcing filler. If silica is used instead, tyres made with such r ubber compounds may exhibit a rolling resistance reduction by ca. 30%, which translates in substantial fuel savings of a car. Such silicas a re far more difficult to mix with rubber than carbon black. Coupling a gents are used as a surface modification of the filler to enhance comp atibility with the polymer. Additionally they improve the ease of mixi ng with the rubber. The development of proper coupling agents combined with improved mixing techniques has contributed to the final break-th rough of the silica-reinforced ''Green Tyre''.