Redesigning OTR Compounds With Anti-Reversion Chemistry for Reduced Heat-Build Up and Improved Performance

During service, large off-the-road tires (OTR) undergo severe compressive and shear deformation.  As rubber compounds are viscoelastic, the deformation generates heat.  Since thick sections of the tire dissipate heat slowly, tires operating under severe conditions reach high operating temperatures.  Network reversion during cure exacerbates the hysteretic character.  Large tires are manufactured using extended-low temperature cure to reduce network reversion.  Anti-reversion agents (ARA) further reduce reversion thereby producing significantly improved networks.  Mechanically and/or heat damaged networks inherently generate more heat under dynamic loads than the original “non-damaged” networks.   OTR tires manufactured using compounds prepared with anti-reversion agents throughout a majority of the tire exhibit significantly reduced heat generation.  Total network retention in improved in tires containing ARA. Such tires have lower running temperatures and provide better durability under severe conditions.  This paper will explore the benefits of using ARA containing components to thick composite rubber parts.