Effect of filler-elastomer interaction on tire tread performance part I

It is generally accepted that dynamic hysteresis, wet friction, and abrasion resistance of tread compounds play dominant roles in rolling resistance, wet skid resistance and wear resistance of tires, respectively. For filled vulcanizates, these properties are significantly affected by the filler morphology and its surface characteristics. The first part of this series will briefly review the effects of filler-polymer and filler-filler interactions on dynamic properties. Both theoretical and practical aspects of these effects are discussed. The following parts are dedicated to wet friction, especially micro-elasto-lubrication and abrasion resistance.