Epoxidized ESBR as Functional Component in SSBR /Silica Nanocomposites for Potential Green Tire Tread Applications

ABSTRACT Emulsion‐polymerized styrene‐butadiene rubber (ESBR) is the most widely used synthetic rubber globally, which is renowned for its broad molecular weight distribution and excellent processing properties. Solution‐polymerized styrene‐butadiene rubber (SSBR) offers lower rolling resistance but is more expensive and more challenging to process. SSBR/ESBR blends filled with silica can combine the advantages of ESBR and SSBR. However, ESBR has weaker interaction with silica than SSBR. In this work, epoxidized ESBR (eESBR) with different epoxidation degrees was synthesized via an in situ epoxidation reaction to partially replace the SSBR matrix. The SSBR/eESBR/Silica nanocomposites were prepared, and the influence of eESBR with different epoxidation degrees on the structure‐properties relationship of SSBR/eESBR/Silica nanocomposites was explored. Compared to SSBR/Silica, SSBR/eESBR3.0/Silica nanocomposite shows better processability and performance, including a lower torque, longer scorch time, faster curing rate, 48.9% enhancement in modulus at 300% strain, a 4.7% decrease in tan δ at 7% strain, and comparable abrasion resistance, but a slight decline in tan δ at 0°C and elongation at break. This work proposes a new strategy for designing green tire treads.