Abstract

Only 3phr of octosilicate (OCTO), swollen with cetyltrimethylammonium ions (CTA), used as an additive in a rubber tire tread compound (80phr of highly dispersible silica, HDS) improves the end properties. The presence of the organo-modified synthetic layered silicate increases vulcanization rate, while the analogue natural silicate, montmorillonite, did not show the same effects.[1-3] The reinforcing filler network is modified as a result of the incorporation of the SLS, therefore, the values of fractal exponents which characterize the reinforcing filler network were found to be different when comparing sillica-only compounds to silica/SLS compounds.[4] The substitution of CTA ions by dimethyldioctadecylammonium ions (2HT) increases the interlaminar space (from 2.7nm to 4.3nm), improving the exfoliation of octosilicate. Therefore, mechanical effects similar to those of OCTO-CTA can be obtained with lower OCTO-2HT concentration. Nevertheless, as a result of the change in the organic modifier and concentration levels, variations of the mixing process have also been necessary in order to obtain comparable results.[5] Systematic studies of our research will be expounded and discussed in this publication.