Raw rubber network of acid-free natural rubber and its application with solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber in green tires

Natural raw rubber was prepared by flash evaporation process (VNR), its raw rubber network was compared with that of acid-coagulated rubber (STR20), and the effects of the ratios of VNR and STR20 to SSBR on the comprehensive performance of green tire composites were investigated. The results showed that compared with 80SSBR composites, the tensile strength and tensile product coefficient of 80VNR composites were improved by 23 % and 94 %, and the Payne effect, compression heat generation, and rolling resistance were reduced by 39 %, 9 %, and 5 %, respectively. Compared with 40STR20/40SSBR composites, the tensile product coefficient, wear resistance, and wet skid resistance of 40VNR/40SSBR composites are increased by 11 %, 5 %, and 5 %, respectively, and the Payne effect, compression heat generation, and rolling resistance were reduced by 46 %, 11 %, and 5 %, respectively. This study increased the amount of natural rubber in the green tire formulations, improving the performance of composites while achieving sustainability. • Natural raw rubber was prepared by acid-free flash evaporation process. • The unique strain-induced crystallization characteristics were characterized. • The Payne effect, compression heat build-up, and rolling resistance were reduced. • The amount of natural rubber in green tire formula was increased.