The Effects of Carbon Black and Other Compounding Variables on Tire Rolling Resistance and Traction

Abstract

Abstract The rolling resistance of SBR/BR radial passenger tire treads was varied as a function of carbon black type and loading, as well as other compounding variables, such as oil content, high-viscosity oil and resin addition, and NR substitution. In all instances, the rolling loss variations showed a good correlation with either tan δ or resilience. The tan δ response was valid for a wide range of test temperatures, frequencies, and strain amplitudes. Wet (32 km/h) and dry (64 km/h) traction indicated a high positive correlation with loss compliance (D″). Here, the best correlations were obtained at lower dynamic testing temperatures (0–25°C.) and higher strain amplitudes. High-speed wet traction (97 km/h) appeared to be relatively independent of the tread compounding variables but did show a slight correlation with tan δ measured at ™25°C. The following patterns were observed relative to tread rolling resistance, traction, and wear as a function of compounding variables: 1. Black loading.—Reduced black loading lowers rolling resistance without much effect on traction. About 4% less black in the tread compound lowers rolling resistance by about 5–6% in the formulations which were evaluated. 2. Oil loading.—At a fixed black level, increased oil raises both rolling resistance and traction. About 2% higher rolling resistance was found for a 10 phr increase in oil loading, but the effect on wet traction appeared to be much greater (7–8%). 3. Black type.—Increasing black fineness raises both rolling resistance and traction, the latter effect being considerably less. Increased DBPA has very little effect on rolling resistance but reduces traction. At reduced black loadings, the finer and higher DBPA blacks show the least loss in treadwear resistance. Blacks with broad aggregate size distribution give lower rolling resistance at the same surface area and DBPA. For extreme blends (carcass and tread grades), however, the loss in treadwear resistance is quite severe (∼30%). 4. Curatives.—Increased sulfur and accelerator levels produced a significant reduction in tan δ, with a similar but lesser drop in D″. The same reduction in tan δ with increased accelerator (OBTS) level produced less effect on D″ than the sulfur increase. 5. Natural rubber substitution.—Compounds in which 30 phr of NR were substituted for 25 phr of SBR and 5 phr of BR indicated slightly better performance in terms of both rolling resistance and traction. 6. High-viscosity oil or resin substitution.—Replacing conventional extender oil with high-viscosity oil or resin appears to improve traction but has a greater adverse effect on rolling resistance. 7. Compound optimization.—N299 black gives the best overall balance of performance in terms of rolling resistance, traction, and treadwear at reduced black loadings. N121 confers about 10% better treadwear and equal traction in the same compound, but at about 4% higher rolling resistance.