Improved Rolling Resistance Using f-SSBR, Silica, and a Mercapto Silane

High energy loss in tires leads to poor fuel economy. One approach to improve fuel economy has been to employ silica with a silane coupler in tread compounds to reduce rolling resistance while minimizing performance trade-offs. A virtually ethanol free mercapto silane was compared to standard sulfur silanes in optimized passenger tire tread compounds containing f-SSBR and 85 phr silica loadings to reduce rolling resistance. Reductions in Tan d at 60 ºC greater than 10% were obtained without loss in compound processing or properties. The new mercapto silane can improve fuel economy without loss of other tire performance parameters.