Silica-Reinforced Natural Rubber

Tire manufacturers are targeting

a) low rolling resistance to become more fuel efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions,

b) high wet grip for safety,

c) good wear properties to reduce particulate matter and

d) more sustainable ingredients.

Current passenger tire tread technology is primarily petroleum-based; however, the long-term availability of fossil-fuel supplies is limited and the tire industry is developing the next generation of green tires.  Thus a further step to minimize the environmental impact and carbon footprint of tires over their life cycle is to use sustainable materials not derived from fossil-fuels.  Use of natural rubber (NR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) reinforced with silica is one possible route to a greener fossil-fuel free tire.  Silica as reinforcing filler for petroleum-based rubbers such as solution styrene butadiene rubber (sSBR) have become commonplace.  Rubber-filler interaction and use of coupling agents play a major role in the properties of compounds.  Rubbers derived from natural sources when silica-filled can achieve enhanced physical properties including abrasion, tear and fatigue.  In this study silica-filled NR is being investigated as a single polymer although in the past it has been difficult to combine good wear properties with low rolling resistance. This study gives some insight into combining low rolling resistance, wear and abrasion.