Effect of Ssbr Composition and Functionality on Tire Tread Compound Performance Characteristics

The polymers selected to create tire tread materials have the largest impact on the performance characteristics of the tire. Compounding studies were conducted on sSBR rubber materials with high and low vinyl content as well as different functionalized sSBR rubber materials, using a model tread recipe. Differences in processing, physical properties, and dynamic performance characteristics were noted. The same sSBR materials were then compounded separately with hevea natural rubber and polybutadiene rubber to understand the effects of those materials on the compound processing, physical properties, and dynamic performance characteristics. Results from the studies provided insight on how to combine the different sSBR polymers into one tire tread compound that provides desirable performance while minimizing the attribute trade-off. Results of the combined compounding are provided and the methodology used to select the combination of polymers is discussed.