Novel Elastomeric Composites For Green Tire Application

Abstract

Now a days, to control urban pollution is challenging issue. The main cause of air pol- lution in urban area is automobile exhaust. Many techniques (e.g catalytic converter, biodiesel, electric car etc) are trying to reduce the air pollution. In 20th century, green tire (which can reduce the burden on environment) concept came. Tread components of any tire contributes 60 % in rolling resistance. Thus, in the present thesis empha- sis was given to develop tread material which shows lower rolling resistance. Carbon black used as a reinforcing agent in the tire. But due to its polluting nature and its dependence on petroleum feedstock, we look for other alternative e.g silica. Tread material was developed from Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and Polybuta- diene rubber (PBR) blend with carbon black and amorphous silica. The result shows that silica composites gives better result like low heat build up and high rebound resilience. High rebound resilience will leads to lower rolling resistance which in turn gives better fuel economy but poor mechanical property than carbon black compos- ites. Another way to reduce rolling resistance is by lowering tire weight. With these aim, SBR/PBR nanocomposites and hybrid composites were prepared. Nanocom- posites were prepared by nanosilica. Hybrid composites were prepared by optimum dosing of nanosilica with conventional llers like carbon black or precipitated silica and sepiolite with precipitated silica. These nanocomposites show better mechanical properties and even better rebound resilience in some cases than conventional silica ller. Hence, these composites could be used for low rolling resistance, "green tire".