Patent ID: 8865799

Claim:
A process for the preparation of silica masterbatch, comprising the steps of: (a) hydrophobating silica by: (i) dissolving a trimethoxy silane coupling agent in a mixture of alcohol, acid and water to provide a trimethoxy silane coupling agent solution, wherein the amount of alcohol and water is at least 70% water by weight, and (ii) mixing the trimethoxy silane coupling agent solution with silica and adding a base to increase the pH to form a compatibilized silica slurry; (b) making a polymer latex and mixing the compatibilized silica slurry with the polymer latex; (c) coagulating the polymer latex from step (b) with a calcium salt to form a crumb, wherein carbon black is an optional ingredient but is not required for coagulating the polymer latex; (d) dewatering the coagulated crumb; and (e) drying the dewatered crumb.