Improving hysteresis of a typical carbon black-filled natural rubber tread compound by using a novel coupling agent

Potential of Sumilink-200 was investigated in a typical natural rubber-based tread compound in connection with its ability to act as a coupling agent for carbon black to reduce hysteresis loss of the compound. Optimum physical properties were obtained at 2 phr loading of Sumilink-200. At this loading, tensile modulus at 300% elongation improved by 9.6% with a reduction in visco-elastic energy dissipation (loss tangent) at 60°C by 8.3% over the control compound. The abrasion resistance properties of the compounds found to remain unaffected with the introduction of Sumilink-200.