Nanocomposite elastomers with in situ formed silica or low energy dissipation

Main source of Rolling Resistance is hysteresis, i.e. the ratio between viscous and elastic modulus of the composite materials that compose a tyre. Fillers are known as the ingredients that give the greatest contribution to hysteresis of filled vulcanizates and the most important factor arises from the dynamic equilibrium between formation and disruption of the filler network (filler networking). Among the reinforcing fillers, silica is able to give a minor contribution to hysteresis, provided that a good silica-elastomer interaction is achieved. Objective of the present work was to prepare by sol-gel technique well defined and evenly distributed silica nanoparticles, suitable for an easier control of the filler networking in a crosslinked elastomeric compound.