| abstract |
A method for increasing the hardness of silica/rubber mixtures is disclosed wherein the method comprises blending with said mixture at least one silane and a hardness-increasing amount of at least one member selected from the group consisting of thixotropic fumed silica; precipitated silica; an MQ resin wherein Q is SiO 4/2 , M is R 1 R 2 R 3 SiO 1/2 , and R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are the same or different functional or non-functional organic groups; carbon black; a thermoplastic resin; and a thermosetting resin. |