Abstract
The processing and mechanical properties of green and vulcanised tread rubbers based on a blend of two types of styrene butadiene rubber filled with carbon black and containing single-layer carbon nanotubes (SCNTs) were studied. Three types of rubber mix were prepared: one containing untreated SCNTs and stearic acid, and two with SCNTs treated by different methods. The properties of these composites were compared. In all cases, the introduction of SCNTs leads to an increase in the cohesion strength of green rubber mixes, to an improvement in their vulcanisation properties, and to an increase in the Mooney viscosity, and also to an improvement in the dynamic properties of the vulcanisates, and here the Payne effect increases. There is also an improvement in the wear resistance, especially in the case of introducing untreated SCNTs and stearic acid which ensures the presence of –COOH groups.