Preparation and performance of oleylamine modified silica-reinforced natural rubber composites

Oleylamine (OA) modified silica (SiO 2 -g-OA) was prepared using γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propytrimethoxysilane (KH560) and OA, silica/natural rubber (NR) and SiO 2 -g-OA/NR composites were prepared by mechanical blending in an internal mixer, and SiO 2 -g-OA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analyzer, and contact angle analyzer. The mechanical properties, abrasion resistance, curing characteristics, Payne effect, and morphology of silica/NR and SiO 2 -g-OA /NR composites were investigated using universal testing machine, Akron abrasion tester, rubber processing analyzer, and scanning electron microscope, respectively. The results showed that SiO 2 -g-OA became more hydrophobic and had better compatibility with NR. Moreover, SiO 2 -g-OA/NR had weaker Payne effect, better vulcanization performance, and more excellent mechanical properties. As the content of filler was more than 30 phr, SiO 2 -g-OA/NR had lower rolling resistance and higher wet skid resistance. Compared with silica modified by other coupling agents, SiO 2 -g-OA had the best reinforcement effect on NR.