Graft modification of styrene-butadiene rubber with .GAMMA.-mercaptpropyltrimethoxysilane

Styrene--butadiene rubber (SBR) was modified with gamma -mercaptpropyltrimethoxysilane ( gamma -MPS) by photo graft reaction for improvement of mechanical properties of silica filled vulcanizates. It was possible to modify the SBR compounded gamma -MPS and photo-initiator, e.g. benzophenone, under irradiation of the UV fluorescent lamp. The mechanical properties of modified vulcanizates were superior to non-modified ones. It was clear that this modification remarkably improved the interaction between SBR and silica from the result of the bound rubber thickness estimated by Pliskin's method. However, because of rubber gelation, compounding must be done immediately after irradiation, and some antioxidants disturbed this modification. Graphs, Spectra. 7 ref.--AA