| abstract |
Rubber compounds comprising one or more rubber with polar functionality and one or more polar filler are prepared by a method comprising the steps: (i) adding a polar volatile liquid to the polar filler; (ii) mixing the one or more rubber with polar functionality with the polar volatile liquid and polar filler to produce a dispersion of the polar filler in the one or more rubber; and (iii) removing the polar volatile liquid from the dispersion. The invention Improves the consistency and uniformity of mixing of rubber compounds based on elastomers having polar functionality, such as epoxidized natural rubber, containing polar reinforcing fillers, such as precipitated silica, The compounds, when vulcanized, have improved mechanical properties. The method is particularly useful in the manufacture of vehicle tyres. |