ABSTRACT
Filler reinforced rubber materials are ubiquitous high-tech products (Vilgis, Heinrich, & Klüppel 2009). One prominent example is the automobile tire tread. Here the dynamic moduli and their dependence on strain amplitude, frequency or temperature are of central interest to the developers. However, it is difficult to tie these macroscopic performance parameters to the molecular or chemical level. This is because of the indirect nature of the experimental data obtained from the interior of a tire material. There is for example the interface between the actual rubber and the filler providing the necessary strength. No easy direct molecular probe exists in this case-in contrast to solidvacuum or solid-liquid interfaces, where scanning probe microscopy is a readily available tool. This is of particular significance in the case of silanized silica, which was introduced as novel tire tread filler material in the early 90s. In addition to size, shape, and morphology of the filler and various chemically as well as physically different types of rubbers, the silica-silane-technology contributes a vast number of chemical and physical variations that may be introduced through the coupling agent. This in turn allows, in principle, the control of macroscopic performance parameters like rolling resistance, wet grip, tread wear etc.
