EFFECT OF PROCESSING ADDITIVES ON CARBON-BLACK DISPERSION AND GRIP PROPERTY OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE TIRE TREAD COMPOUND

Rubber and carbon black compounds show complex behaviors in their mixi ng process due to their complicated microcomposite structure. Therefor e, establishing a clear relationship between the mixing state of the r ubber compound and the physical properties of its cured rubber has sti ll remained to be solved. in spite of formidable efforts by many rubbe r technologists. This paper investigated the influence of a processing additive on the carbon black incorporation and its dispersion behavio r by inspecting Banbury power curves. From this investigation, we cons idered that good wettability toward the carbon black surface was neces sary for processing additives in order to improve carbon black dispers ion. The function of the processing additive was thought to enhance th e surface lubrication of carbon black for disagglomeration in the earl y steps of mixing. The dry grip properties of a tire was estimated fro m the temperature dependence of dynamic viscoelastic properties of rub ber compounds, with improved carbon black dispersion due to the proces sing additive; and it was confirmed by an actual tire running evaluati on. Consequently, we found that tread compounds with improved carbon b lack dispersion had a remarkable effect on tire dry-grip properties at high temperatures.