SBR/Organoclay Nanocomposites for the Application on Tire Tread Compounds

N,N-dimethyldodecylamine (tertiary amine)-modified MMT (DDA-MMT) was prepared as an organically modified layered silicate (OLS), after which styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites reinforced with the OLS were manufactured via the latex method. The layer distance of the OLS and the morphology of the nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). By increasing the amount ofN,N-dimethyldodecylamine (DDA) up to 2.5 g, the maximum values of torque, tensile strength and wear resistance of the SBR nanocomposites were increased due to the increased dispersion of the silicate layers in the rubber matrix and the increased crosslinking of the SBR nanocomposites by DDA itself. When SBR nanocomposites were manufactured by using the ternary filler system (carbon black/silica/OLS) to improve their dynamic properties as a tire tread compound, the tan δ (at 0 °C and 60 °C) property of the compounds was improved by using metal stearates instead of stearic acid. The mechanical properties and wear resistance were increased by direct substitution of calcium stearate for stearic acid because the filler-rubber interaction was increased by the strong ionic effect between the calcium cation and silicates with anionic surface. However, as the amount of calcium stearate was further increased above 0.5 phr, the mechanical properties and wear resistance were degraded due to the lubrication effect of the excessive amount of calcium stearate. Consequently, the SBR/organoclay nanocomposites that used carbon black, silica, and organoclay as their ternary filler system showed excellent dynamic properties, mechanical properties and wear resistance as a tire tread compound for passenger cars when 0.5 phr of calcium stearate was substituted for the conventionally used stearic acid.