Sulfur-free lignin as reinforcing component of styrene-butadiene rubber

The potential application of lignin biopolymer as a component of styrene-butactiene rubber was examined with regard to its ability to reinforce the vulcanizates. It was shown that the sulfur-free lignin preparation improved physicomechanical properties of rubber. The determination of the coefficient of lignin activity confirmed that lignin acts as an active filler. FTIR characteristics of lignin isolated from the vulcanizate containing 20 phr lignin indicated its interaction with the sulfur system, resulting in formation of noncyclic sulfide structures. In the case of higher lignin amount in the vulcanizate, some interfacial interaction between lignin and SBR may occur. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.