High Performance Silicas Reinforced Elastomers : A Better Understanding of the Interface Nature to Improve the Balance Between Hysteresis and Reinforcement

ZS 1165MP was launched 20 years ago and has progressively become the global standard for full silica tire tread technology, used in the production of fuel efficient green tires. In many zones, this market has reached an established maturity level, from both a technical and commercial standpoint.  

To go a step further in the fuel saving and performance improvement including processing or wear resistance, the use of the latest scientific approach in term of reinforcement and energy dissipation is key to optimize the balance between the elastomer, the interfacial agent and the silica.

The development of new functional elastomers and silane requires getting a better definition of the silica surface (and not only by NMR or IRFT or SEARS Number).

In this presentation, several way to characterize the silica surface will be shared and the impact of several silicas interface on the reinforcement and hysteresis properties will be illustrated.