Abstract
Because particulate matter has emerged as a major contributor to air pollution, the tire industry has con-ducted studies to reduce particulate matters from tires by improving tire performance. In this study, we compared the conven-tional blending method, in which rubber, filler, and additives are mixed simultaneously, to the Y-blending method, in which masterbatches are blended. We manufactured carbon black (CB)-filled natural rubber (NR)/butadiene rubber (BR) blend and silica-filled epoxidized NR/BR blend compounds to compare the effects of the two blending methods on the physical properties of the compounds and the amount of particulate matter generated. The Y-blending method provided uniform filler distribution in the heterogeneous rubber matrix, improved processability, and exhibited low rolling resistance. This method also improved physical properties owing to the excellent filler rubber interaction. The results obtained from measuring the generation of particulate matter indicated that, the Y-blending method reduced PM2.5 particulate matter generation from the CB-filled and silica-filled compounds by 38% and 60%, and that of PM10 by 29% and 67%, respectively. This confirmed the excellence of the Y-blending method regarding the physical properties of truck bus radial tire tread compounds and reduced particulate matter generated.
Keywords: TBR tire tread compound;Y-blending method;filler distribution;wear resistance;rolling resistance