Process for making a carbon black/resin masterbatch

Abstract

By utilizing the process of the present invention a carbon black/resin masterbatch powder can be easily prepared on a commercial scale. This invention more specifically discloses a process for making a resin/carbon black masterbatch powder which comprises the steps of: (1) mixing the carbon black and the resin in an aqueous medium at an elevated temperature to produce an aqueous dispersion, with the proviso that the elevated temperature is above the melting point of the resin in the case of crystalline resins and with the proviso that the elevated temperature is above the softening point of the resin in the case of amorphous resins; (2) cooling the aqueous dispersion to a temperature which is below the melting point or the softening point of the resin; and (3) recovering the masterbatch powder from the aqueous dispersion. By utilizing the technique of this invention resin-composite particulates of syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene and carbon black can be easily prepared. Such resin-composite particulates are reported to be useful in making tire tread formulations which provide improved tire performance characteristics on ice and snow.