A variety of fillers are used to reinforce diene polymers. In some applications, silica-based fillers have almost completely replaced carbon blacks. In technical applications such as tires, silica/silane technology can improve not only energy-related aspects but also safety-related aspects. However, this type of filler or surface modification can be associated with challenges. In particular, the performance of the silica/silane technology is largely dependent on the polymer matrix and the silane. For this reason, research was carried out into a new type of composite that attempts to combine these two aspects. A polymer-based surface modification is intended to ensure functionalization and bonding of the filler to the polymer matrix.

• Novel polymer-based silica surface modification
• Filler modification individually adaptable to polymer matrix
• Comparable performance to (pre-) silanized silica