Functionalized silica with elastomer binder
AssigneeCooper Tire & Rubber Company
InventorPeter John Wallen
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Abstract
A functionalized silica product includes particles of a hydrophobated silica having a thin coating of an emulsion polymer. A ratio of the hydrophobated silica to the emulsion polymer is from about 4/1 to about 50/1. The functionalized silica product is in the form of a friable crumb or a powder that may be mixed into a elastomer formulation for a rubber article, such as a tire component.
Claims20
A functionalized silica product, comprising:
- particles of a hydrophobated silica having a thin coating of an emulsion polymer, wherein a ratio of the hydrophobated silica to the emulsion polymer is from about 4/1 to about 50/1.
A method for manufacturing a functionalized silica product, the method comprising the steps of:
- admixing a silane solution and a silica slurry to form a hydrophobated silica slurry;
- blending the hydrophobated silica slurry into an aqueous rubber latex to form a blended slurry;
- coagulating the blended slurry to form a coagulated functionalized silica product;
- dewatering the coagulated functionalized silica product;
- and
- drying and breaking up the coagulated functionalized silica product to form particles of a hydrophobated silica having a thin coating of an emulsion polymer, wherein a ratio of the hydrophobated silica to the emulsion polymer is from about 4/1 to about 50/1.
A rubber formulation, comprising:
- a quantity of elastomer;
- and
- a quantity of particles of a hydrophobated silica having a thin coating of an emulsion polymer, wherein a ratio of the hydrophobated silica to the emulsion polymer is from about 4/1 to about 50/1,
- the particles substantially evenly distributed throughout the elastomer.
A system for manufacturing a functionalized silica product, comprising:
- a dewatering device configured to dry a functionalized silica product to an initial water content;
- and
- a drying device configured to dry the functionalized silica product to a final water content.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.