Preparation of silica/natural rubber masterbatch using solution compounding

There are increasing concerns about the global issues of carbon peak and carbon neutrality. The tire labeling laws about rolling resistance performance requirements have been revised accordingly. Energy-efficient “green tires,” with a lower rolling resistance, are becoming an important development direction for the tire industry. Herein, a method is proposed for preparing a silica/natural rubber (NR) masterbatch using solution compounding. The dispersion of silica in the rubber matrix was improved through the liquid-phase mixing process. Further, the loss factor (tanδ) of the rubber was reduced, ultimately reducing the rolling resistance of the material. Specifically, the modified silica slurry was prepared in cyclohexane with an interfacial modification technology, and the mixing between the silica and rubber molecular chains was completed in the organic phase. Favorable processing properties were confirmed using the Mooney viscosity test. Compared with the in situ modified silica/NR composites made using dry blending, the silica/NR composites made via solution compounding had better filler dispersion, better mechanical properties, lower tanδ and lower rolling resistance. Thus, the preparation of a silica/NR masterbatch using solution compounding provides a new procedure for the preparation of silica/NR compounds with excellent performance for “green tires.”