Radiation induced vulcanization of SBR blends containing pristine silica and silica modified by polybutadiene grafting: reaction mechanisms and physicochemical properties of the vulcanizates

The aim of this work is to exploit the gamma ray induced vulcanization of SBR-silica blends to develop silica-rubber chemical links, with a focus on the mechanism leading to said links and on the cured blends mechanical properties. Related to the mentioned aim is also the attempt to enhance the formation of silica-rubber chemical links through the grafting onto silica of vinyl rich polybutadiene olygomers with the role of free radical scavengers.