Abstract
The processing and mechanical properties of green and vulcanised tread rubbers based on styrene butadiene rubber and polybutadiene with the addition of natural rubbers filled with silica and containing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SCNTs) were studied. Two types of rubber were manufactured: one containing untreated SCNTs and stearic acid, ensuring the presence of – COOH groups, and the other with treated SCNTs. The properties of these composites were compared. In both cases, the introduction of SCNTs leads to an increase in the cohesion strength of the green rubber mixes, to an improvement in their vulcanisation properties, and to an increase in their Mooney viscosity. In contrast to tread rubbers filled with carbon black, in the case of filling with silica the Payne effect decreases. The dynamic and other mechanical properties of the vulcanisates change in different ways. The wear resistance, like other service properties, is improved.