Addition of different amounts of a urethane-based thickener to waterborne polyurethane adhesive

To adjust the rheology of waterborne polyurethane adhesives, different amounts of a hydrophobically modified ethoxylated polyurethane thickener (HEUR) were added. The thickened adhesive solutions were characterized by flow rheology, pH measurements, particle size, solids content and confocal microscopy. The thickened solid adhesive films were characterized by IR spectroscopy, plate-plate rheology, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The adhesion was measured from T-peel test of plasticized PVC/polyurethane adhesive/plasticized PVC and leather/polyurethane adhesive/SBR rubber joints. The addition of the HEUR thickener increased the viscosity of the polyurethane dispersion, and a shear-thinning behaviour was observed due to polyurethane–thickener interactions. The addition of thickener improved the rheological properties of the polyurethane, more noticeable as the content of the thickener increased. The crosslinking of the thickened polyurethane was studied by confocal microscopy. Although the addition of the thickener did not greatly affect the thermal properties of the polyurethane, an improvement in the adhesive strength of leather/adhesive/SBR rubber joints was obtained.     

Influence of the Chemical Structure of Urethane-Based Thickeners on the Properties of Waterborne Polyurethane Adhesives

To analyse the parameters that influence the thickening mechanism of waterborne polyurethane adhesives, different hydrophobically modified ethoxylated polyurethane based thickeners (HEUR) were used. The thickeners were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The thickened adhesive solutions were characterized by flow rheology, pH, particle size measurements, solids content, and confocal microscopy. The thickened solid adhesive films were characterized by ATR-IR spectroscopy, parallel plate rheology, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The adhesion was measured by a T-peel test of leather/polyurethane adhesive/SBR rubber joints. The addition of the different HEUR thickeners increased the viscosity of the polyurethane dispersion to different degrees. Furthermore, whereas the un-thickened polyurethane dispersion showed a Newtonian rheological behaviour, a shear-thinning rheological behaviour was observed in the thickened dispersions due to thickener-thickener and polyurethane-thickener interactions. The viscosity of the thickened polyurethane adhesive solutions increased with the degree of hydrophobicity and the molecular weight of the thickener. The addition of different thickeners increased the pH values due to the ionic adsorption, which is one of the interactions that contribute to the thickening mechanism of the polyurethane thickeners, besides hydrogen bonding and van der Waals hydrophobic interactions (micelles). The entanglement of the thickened polyurethane adhesives was studied by confocal microscopy. Although the addition of the thickeners did not affect the thermal properties of the polyurethanes, the T-peel strength of leather/adhesive/SBR rubber joints was influenced by the rheological properties of the thickened adhesives.     

Effect of annealing on the properties of waterborne polyurethane adhesive containing urethane-based thickener

Different amounts of hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane-based thickener (HEUR) were added to improve the rheology of waterborne polyurethane adhesives. The thickened solid adhesive films were thermally annealed and characterised by IR spectroscopy, plate–plate rheology, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Hydrogen bonds played a key role in the thickening mechanism of polyurethane dispersions containing urethane-based thickener, along with ionic adsorption and micelles formation between hydrophobic groups. The adhesion properties were measured from T-peel test of leather/polyurethane adhesive/vulcanised styrene-butadiene rubber joints. Optimal results were obtained when water in the waterborne polyurethane adhesive (just before joint formation) was removed under open air, while forced air drying impeded the complete removal of water. On the other hand, the thermal annealing did not greatly affect the rheological and thermal properties of the thickened polyurethanes.     

Hydrophobic or Hydrophilic Fumed Silica as Filler of Polyurethane Adhesives

Two hydrophilic and two hydrophobic fumed silicas of different characteristics were added to solvent-based polyurethane adhesives (PU). IR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements and rheology (viscosity measurements, determination of viscoelastic properties) were used to monitor the variation of properties of PU adhesives produced by addition of silica. Immediate (green) adhesion was determined by T-peel testing of halogenated synthetic rubber/PU adhesive/halogenated synthetic rubber joints. Silica addition produced a noticeable increase in the PU adhesive viscosity which can be related to the variation of viscoelastic properties. Viscosity of PU adhesives containing hydrophilic silica slightly increased with time after preparation; the increase was less significant in PU adhesives with hydrophilic silica. In the rheological studies, silica imparted shear thinning and negative thixotropy to PU adhesives due to a better dispersion of the silica in the polyurethane during shearing. The addition of silica produces an increase in the storage modulus (G') of PU adhesives, the values obtained being independent of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the fumed silica. The increase of G' and the changes in tan δ of PU adhesives containing silica corresponded to an improvement in the green adhesion properties of chlorinated rubber/PU adhesive/chlorinated rubber joints. In general, in disagreement with previous results,¹ the presence of silica did affect the properties of solvent-based PU adhesives, but these properties were not dependent on the type of silica (hydrophobic or hydrophilic) used in this study.     

Comparison of the Properties of Polyurethane Adhesives Containing Fumed Silica or Sepiolite as Filler

Fumed silica is a well-known mineral filler of epoxy and polyurethane adhesives. Although effective, the small particle size and the relative high cost of fumed silicas suggest the need for an alternative filler. In this study, the usefulness of adding a natural hydrated magnesium silicate (sepiolite) as a new filler in solvent-based polyurethane (PU) adhesive formulations has been demonstrated. The rheological and adhesion performance of the sepiolite-filled PU adhesive was compared with that in PU adhesives containing fumed silicas. The addition of a filler to PU adhesives provided an increase in viscosity, imparted thixotropy and pseudoplasticity to the adhesive solution, produced an increase in storage and loss moduli, and improved the rheology of the PU. The mechanical properties of adhesive films were increased by adding filler, mainly with fumed silica. On the other hand, the immediate T-peel strength of roughened or (roughened + chlorinated) styrene-butadiene rubber/PU adhesive joints was greatly improved in filled PU adhesives. The effects produced by adding sepiolite or fumed silica to the adhesives were very similar, although in general more noticeable in fumed silica filled PU due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the filler and the solvent and/or the polyurethane (in sepiolite-filled adhesives, van der Waals forces seemed to be responsible for the interactions between the filler and the solvent and/or polyurethane).     

Preparation and properties of emulsifier/N‐methylpyrrolidone‐free crosslinkable waterborne polyurethane–acrylate emulsions for footwear adhesives. I. Effect of the acrylic monomer content

Stable emulsions of emulsifier/N‐methylpyrrolidone‐free crosslinkable waterborne polyurethane–acrylates (C‐WBPUAs) with various acrylic monomer contents (0, 10, 20, and 30 wt %) for footwear adhesive materials were successfully prepared in this study. The effects of the acrylic monomer content on the shelf stability, mean particle size, and viscosity of the C‐WBPUA emulsions; the tensile properties and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of the C‐WBPUA film samples; and the adhesive strengths between the upper (synthetic leather) and the sole (ethylene vinyl acetate rubber) in both the dry and wet states of the formulated adhesives (C‐WBPUA emulsion–thickener–hardener) were examined. The adhesive strengths of the formulated adhesives for footwear (leather–sole) in both the dry and wet states increased with increasing acrylic monomer content up to 20 wt %; after this, they almost levelled off. Thus, C‐WBPUA20 and C‐WBPUA30, where the number indicates the acrylic monomer content, can be recommended as high‐performance adhesive materials for footwear. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43758.     

Properties of Polyurethane Elastomers with Different Hard/Soft Segment Ratio

Three polyurethane elastomers (PU) containing different hard/soft (h/s) segment ratios were prepared. The PUs were characterized using Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), DSC, Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD). Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), and Stress-controlled rheometry. The surface properties were evaluated from contact angle measurements. The PUs were used as raw materials for solvent-based adhesives, whose adhesion properties were measured from T-peel tests of solvent-wiped polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/polyurethane adhesive joints. The increase in the amount of h/s segment ratio affected the structure and morphology of the PUs, reducing the degree of phase separation and the extent of the secondary interactions between polymer chains. The h/s segment ratio determined the thermal, mechanical, rheological and adhesion properties of the PUs.     

Properties of Polyurethane Elastomers with Different Hard/Soft Segment Ratio

Three polyurethane elastomers (PU) containing different hard/soft (h/s) segment ratios were prepared. The PUs were characterized using Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), DSC, Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD). Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), and Stress-controlled rheometry. The surface properties were evaluated from contact angle measurements. The PUs were used as raw materials for solvent-based adhesives, whose adhesion properties were measured from T-peel tests of solvent-wiped polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/polyurethane adhesive joints. The increase in the amount of h/s segment ratio affected the structure and morphology of the PUs, reducing the degree of phase separation and the extent of the secondary interactions between polymer chains. The h/s segment ratio determined the thermal, mechanical, rheological and adhesion properties of the PUs.     

Effect of using sepiolite silicate + fumed silica mixtures as fillers on the characteristics of solvent-based polyurethane adhesives

Abstract —Both fumed silica and sepiolite have been used as a filler of polyurethane (PU) adhesives. Although effective, the small particle size and the relative high cost of fumed silica are limitations in some applications. Sepiolite is cheaper than fumed silica, but its relatively large particle size facilitates its settling from the adhesive solutions. In this study, the usefulness of using sepiolite + fumed silica mixtures as a filler in solvent-based PU adhesives is demonstrated. The rheological and adhesion properties of the PU adhesive solutions and the rheological and mechanical properties of the PU films (without solvent) were studied. SEM micrographs of PU films showed the morphology and compatibility of the fillers with the PU matrix. The use of sepiolite + fumed silica mixtures inhibited the settlement of the filler from the PU adhesive solutions, increased both the storage and the loss moduli, and improved the rheological and mechanical properties of the PU. On the other hand, the green (immediate) T-peel strengths of roughened styrene-butadiene rubber/PU adhesive joints and plasticized PVC/PU adhesive joints were greatly improved in filled PU adhesives. The effects produced by using fumed silica alone or sepiolite + fumed silica mixtures were very similar, although in general, somewhat more marked in fumed silica-filled PU.     

Anionomeric waterborne poly(urethane semicarbazide) dispersions and their adhesive properties

Aqueous polyurethane dispersions were prepared from isocyanate‐terminated ionic polyurethane prepolymers by chain extension with dihydrazides. These water‐borne dispersions had excellent adhesive properties and were used to bond leather and canvas. The base polymers were varied with respect to (1) the ionic content with the same chain extender and (2) the nature of the chain extender with the ionic content kept constant. Studies on the particle size and viscosity revealed that the ionic content had an influence on the aforementioned properties: the particle size decreased and the viscosity increased with increasing ionic content. The polarity of the films cast from the dispersions were determined with contact‐angle measurements: hydrophilic character was exhibited by all the compositions. X‐ray studies revealed that the increase in the ionic content led to increasing intensities of the diffraction peaks due to increased secondary forces of bonding. The tensile strength measurements showed that the films were highly elastomeric and had good mechanical strength, which varied with the composition. A shear strength and peel strength analysis of specimens obtained through the bonding of leather to leather, leather to canvas, and canvas to canvas revealed that the waterborne dispersions were excellent adhesives for bonding leather surfaces. Thus, a very efficient, ecofriendly waterborne dispersion of polyurethane that could find applications in bonding leather in the footwear industry was prepared successfully. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

UV treatment of synthetic styrene-butadiene-styrene rubber

The effectiveness of the treatment with ultraviolet light (UV) on several polymeric surfaces has previously been established. In this study, a low pressure mercury vapour lamp was used as a source of UV radiation for the surface treatment of a difficult-to-bond block styrenebutadiene-styrene rubber (S6), the treatment time ranging from 10 s to 30 min. The UV-treated S6 rubber surfaces were characterized by contact angle measurements (ethylene glycol, 25°C), ATR-IR spectroscopy, XPS, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). T-peel tests on UV-treated S6 rubber/polyurethane (PU) adhesive/ leather joints (before and after ageing) were carried out to quantify adhesion strengths. The UV treatment of S6 rubber produced improved wettability, the formation of C—O, C=O and COO^- moieties, and ablation (removal of a thin rubber layer from the surface). The extent of these modifications increased with increasing treatment time. The extended UV treatment produced greater surface modifications, as well as the incorporation of nitrogen moieties at the surface. Furthermore, noticeable ablation of S6 rubber surface occurred. Peel strength values increased with increased treatment time of UV treatment of S6 rubber. Also, with increasing treatment time, the adhesive joints showed different loci of failure: adhesional failure for the as-received and 2 min-UV treated S6 rubber/polyurethane adhesive/leather joints changed to mixed failure (cohesive in the treated S6 rubber + adhesional failure) for the 30 min-UV treated S6 rubber/polyurethane adhesive/leather joint.     

Syneresis and rheology mechanisms of a latex-HEUR associative thickener system

This study focuses on the phase behavior, rheology, and interactions of polymer latex particles and a hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane (HEUR) associative thickener in water. At constant 0.25 latex particle volume fraction, increasing HEUR caused stable, followed by phase separated (syneresis), and stable mixtures as HEUR concentration increased from 0% to 2.0% (by weight) in the latex-thickener aqueous mixture. The mixtures that underwent syneresis were flocculated. The relationship between the flocculation behavior and the composition of the latex-HEUR mixtures is consistent with previous work reported by other investigators. However, detailed rheological data on systems like these that have undergone syneresis have not been reported. This paper presents detailed viscosity vs shear rate data and correlates viscosity trends with the both flocculation and syneresis behavior. The stable latex-HEUR mixtures at low HEUR levels show Newtonian or shear-thinning viscosity with well-defined low-shear Newtonian plateaus. As HEUR level is increased to levels at which syneresis is observed, erratic rheological profiles with shear thinning as well as thickening are observed. This type of shear thickening has been attributed to bridging flocculation by other investigators. When HEUR level is further increased to levels at which no syneresis is observed, low-shear Newtonian plateaus re-appeared, albeit at higher viscosities. Detailed analysis of syneresis and shear-thickening behavior of a latex-HEUR mixture containing 0.5% (by weight) HEUR showed two shear-thickening regions, one between 0.1 and 0.5 s^?1 shear rate range and another between 30 and 100 s^?1 shear rate range. Molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the HEUR thickener indicates that the two shear-thickening regions are related to the bi-modal nature of the thickener’s MWD.     

Characterization of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Prepared Using Different Macroglycols

Three polyurethane elastomers (PU_s) were prepared using macroglycols of different nature (varepsilon-polycaprolactone, polyadipate of 1,6-hexanediol) and length of the hydrocarbon chain (polyadipate of 1,4-butanediol, polyadipate of 1,6-hexanediol). The PU_s were characterized using Gel Permeation Chromatography, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Wide X-ray angle Diffraction, Dynamic Thermal Mechanical Analysis, stress-controlled rheometry and stress-strain experiments. The surface properties were evaluated from contact angle measurements. The PU_s were used as raw materials for solvent-based adhesives, whose adhesion properties were measured from T-peel strength of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/polyurethane adhesive joints. The use of polyadipate of 1,6-hexanediol produced a polyurethane with high crystallinity (i.e. poor rheological and mechanical properties) and enhanced interactions between soft segments. Low adhesion was obtained in joints produced with this polyurethane and a cohesive failure of the adhesive was produced. The decrease in the polyadipate hydrocarbon chain length decreased the degree of crystallinity between polymer chains, therefore, no reduction in rheological and mechanical properties was obtained; a higher joint strength was also obtained. In this study the best performance was obtained with the polyurethane based on varepsilon-polycaprolactone, presumably because of its higher surface energy and reduced crystallinity. The properties of the polyurethanes prepared in this study were more affected by the characteristics of the macroglycol, and the crystallinity of the polyurethane had a more marked effect on the properties than the degree of phase separation.     

BOND STRENGTH IMPROVEMENT OF POLYURETHANE ADHESIVE BY GRAFTING 2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE ON POLYOL BACKBONE

A series of acrylated polyols were prepared by grafting 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) on to polyol backbone prepared from vegetable oil fatty acid and epoxy resin. Grafting was carried out by free radical mechanism on conjugated double bond present in the polyol using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. Polyols and polyurethane adhesives were characterized by IR spectroscopy. Polyurethane adhesive synthesized from the modified polyols were found to provide better peel strength to styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) joints. Mode of failure was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Improvement in cohesive strength of the adhesives resulted in high bonding strength. Comparative study has been carried out to determine the effect of acrylation on polyurethane adhesive by Green strength, Curing behavior, and Chemical resistance studies. Loading of 20% HEMA gave significant results. However, 15% loading of HEMA resulted in a sample with highest peel strength.     

Characterization of thermoplastic polyurethane adhesives with different hard/soft segment ratios containing rosin as an internal tackifier

Three thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) containing different hard/soft (h/s) segment ratios (1.05-1.4) were prepared using the prepolymer method. MDI (diphenylmethane-4,4′diisocyanate) and polyadipate of 1,4-butanediol (M _w = 2440) were allowed to react to produce the prepolymer. To provide the polyurethanes with high immediate adhesion to different substrates, a rosin + 1,4-butanediol mixture (1 : 1 equivalent%) was used as chain extender (TPU-Rs). These TPU-Rs had two types of hard segments: (i) Urethane hard segments, produced by reaction of the isocyanate and the 1,4-butanediol, and (ii) Urethan-amide hard segments, produced by reaction of the isocyanate and the carboxylic acid functionality of the rosin. The TPUs and TPU-Rs were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, stress-controlled plate-plate rheology, stress-strain measurements, and Brookfield viscosity. The TPUs and TPU-Rs were used as raw materials to prepare solvent-based polyurethane adhesives, the adhesion properties of which were obtained from T-peel tests on PVC/polyurethane adhesive/PVC joints. The addition of rosin as an internal tackifier increased the average molecular weight, more markedly in the TPU-Rs containing higher hard/soft segment ratios, but the elastic and viscous moduli decreased. An increase in the hard/soft segment ratio of the TPU-Rs retarded the kinetics of crystallization (which was determined by the soft segment content in the polyurethane), and increased the immediate T-peel strength in PVC/polyurethane adhesive/PVC joints (which was determined by the urethan-amide hard segments). Furthermore, addition of rosin to the polyurethanes decreased the final adhesion, although always reasonably high peel strength values were obtained.     

Synthesis and characterization of new thermoplastic polyurethane adhesives containing rosin resin as an internal tackifier

Three thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPUs) were prepared using the prepolymer method. MDI (diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate) and the polyadipate of 1,4-butanediol (M_w = 2400) were reacted to produce a prepolymer containing unreacted isocyanate groups; chain extenders were different mixtures of 1,4-butanediol and a rosin resin (0-50%). The specific feature of this procedure was the introduction of a rosin resin as an internal tackifier to provide higher immediate adhesion to the TPUs. The new TPUs were characterized using gel permeation chromatography, wideangle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, stress-controlled rheology, and stress-strain measurements. The TPUs were used as raw materials to prepare solvent-based polyurethane adhesives, the adhesion properties of which were obtained from T-peel tests on PVC/polyurethane adhesive/PVC and leather/polyurethane adhesive/PVC joints. The addition of rosin resin as an internal tackifier contributed to the production of two types of hard segments, which affected the properties of the TPUs. Therefore, rosin resin as an internal tackifier produced an increase in the average molecular weight, an increase in the viscosity, and improved the rheological properties. The glass transtition temperature decreased if the TPUs contained rosin resin, due to a greater degree of incompatibility between the hard and soft segments. Consequently, slower kinetics of crystallization was obtained in the TPUs containing rosin resin. Depending on the amount of rosin resin in the TPU, different structures and properties were obtained. On the other hand, the immediate T-peel strength in all joints was improved if the TPU contained rosin resin.     

Al/ZnS涂层织物的红外发射性能

以片状Al粉为金属颜料,加入ZnS、Na2SiO4、羧甲基纤维素钠和不同粘合剂制备低红外发射率涂料。将涂料涂覆在铝板上,比较含4种不同粘合剂涂层的发射率,研究粘合剂对涂层红外发射率的影响。将涂料涂覆在织物上,测量涂层的表观形态,分析工艺处方、织物种类等因素对织物涂层发射率的影响。油性聚氨酯粘合剂涂层的发射率最低,随着Al和ZnS含量的增加,织物涂层发射率逐渐降低,且不同织物基质上的涂层红外发射率不同。当使用油性聚氨酯为粘合剂,铝粉质量分数为35%～40%,ZnS质量分数为2%时,涤纶织物涂层发射率为0.69。     

乳胶涂料中疏水改性聚氨酯增稠机理的研究

简要介绍了疏水改性聚氨酯（HEUR）的结构特点，用表面电位仪和流体粘弹清仪分别研究了HEUR分子与胶胶涂料中组分的相互作用及增稠体系的流变性质。结果表明，HEUR分子与乳液粒子之间存在缔合结构，该结构在较低剪切速率下容易被破坏，表现出破坏与重建的动态过程，从而赋予乳胶涂料体系较好的流平性和抗流挂性。     

Study of the rheology of aqueous radiation curable polyurethane dispersions modified with associative thickeners

The chemistry of radiation curable polyurethane dispersions is outlined with an emphasis on the microstructure of the aqueous polymer dispersion and the possible interactions with associative thickeners. The steady-shear flow was studied for two model dispersions prepared from the same unsaturated polyurethane but showing significantly different particle size distributions. A hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane (HEUR) associative thickener with a linear structure was incorporated at different amounts to the dispersions with varying particle volume fractions. The steady-state viscosity at 25 and 10 °C was always reached quickly after instant flow rate changes so that no significant thixotropic effects were reported within the experimental timescale. Without thickener, the flow curves of the two model dispersions exhibited a Newtonian behavior except at the highest volume fractions where shear thinning became apparent. The maximum packing values determined from the Krieger–Dougherty relationship were essentially the same for the two systems. In the presence of thickener, the flow curves were characterized by a Newtonian plateau followed by a marked shear thinning region even at low particle volume fractions. This behavior typically suggests the formation of a physical network between polyurethane particles and thickener molecules partly adsorbed onto the polymer surface. The zero-shear viscosity of the two dispersions was compared with respect to: (i) particle volume fraction and (ii) particle surface area at different HEUR concentrations. At a given volume fraction, the particle size affects the viscosity of thickened models. As a corollary, a relationship is found between the particles size and the level of thickener required to reach a target viscosity. This study offers practically relevant data in terms of application conditions and provides a better insight into the thickening protocol.     

Chlorination of SBS rubbers with different styrene contents using trichloro-isocyanuric acid

In order to improve their adhesion to polyurethane adhesives, three unvulcanized block styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubbers with styrene contents between 33% and 55% were surface-treated with solutions of 2 wt% trichloro-isocyanuric acid (TCI) in ethyl acetate. The joint strength was estimated using T-peel tests and the failed surfaces were analyzed to assess the locus of failure. The failed surfaces were analyzed using ATR-IR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, XPS, and SEM. An unexpected trend in the joint strength was obtained because the locus of failure depended on both the styrene content and the mechanical properties of each SBS rubber. A mixed mode of failure was obtained in joints produced with S 1 rubber (33 wt% styrene content), whereas failure in the chlorinated layer was observed with S3 rubber (55 wt% styrene content); cohesive failure in the adhesive was found for the joints produced with S2 rubber (44 wt% styrene content).