GT70
Symposium: S01 - General Session Poster Presentation
Effect of Silane Aliphatic Tail on Surface Energy of Filler Particles in SBR/silane-modified silica vulcanizates
Mahtabani Amirhossein (1)*, Razzaghi-Kashani Mehdi (1), Karimi Reza (1), Alimardani Mohammad (1)
(1) Tarbiat Modares University - Tehran - Iran
The effect of silane chain length on interfacial characteristics of Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR)/Silica composites was investigated. In order to obtain different interfacial interactions between filler and polymer chains propyl three methoxy silane and decyl three methoxy silane with different aliphatic tail lengths were coupled on silica surface. Surface energy of treated silica samples prepared by CIP method was quantified using contact angle measurements. Varying silanes’ aliphatic chain lengths the surface hydrophobicity of treated silica particles were changed, decreasing the polar part of silica surface energy. Results of this study demonstrated that similar distribution of filler particles obtained when the polar parts of the surface energy in investigated vulcanizates were in the same range. Furthermore, decreasing the polar part of the surface energy resulted in a more uniform distribution of filler in the rubber matrix which was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It is comprehended that by filler-polymer Interfacial engineering the possibility of controlling the mechanical and morphological properties of SBR/silica vulcanizates is increased.