Effects of Hydrophilic Silica Nanoparticles on Morphology and Mechanical Properties of a Typical Tyre Compound

This research aimed to study the effects of adding hydrophilic silica nanoparticles as nanofiller on tread properties of a typical tyre compound. In this respect, four compounds were prepared as a representative of the tread of the tyre. The amount of 0, 1, 3, and 5 phr (parts of filler per hundred parts of rubber) of nanofiller were added by melt mixing method. Physical and mechanical properties of compounds were measured. The structure and morphology of the fractured surface of the compounds were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (Fe-SEM). The results of cure and mechanical analysis of the compound series showed that the sample containing 3 phr of nanofiller possesses better properties. This observation is due to higher interaction between nanofiller and polymer macromolecules that causes better dispersion of the nanoparticles in polymer matrix.