The work is divisible into three interconnected areas, the first of which is concerned with the empirical modelling of the rubber internal mixing process. Here, the mixing machine variables were changed in a statistical experimental design, and several resulting dispersion dependent material responses monitored. The values of these were next combined into a composite function which related to the goodness of mixing. A response equation in terms of this function and the process variables was obtained by regression analysis. Other response equations derived were for relating mixing time and dumped stock temperature to the input variables. These graduating functions were tested for adequacy of fit; graphical representations of the predictions of the models are shown in the form of contour graphs and isometric projections (both hard copy and colour graphics). These show visual evidence of the influence of each machine variable (and interaction) on the mixing process as a whole. Also by these means, it was possible to establish optimum conditions of mixing. Next nominally identical carbon blacks from different manufacturing locations were mixed into rubber at defined processing conditions. From tests on these mixes the blacks were noted to have different dispersibilities. This was possibly attributable to the varying fines fractions and moisture contents in the test carbon blacks. To check this hypothesis, these factors were varied systematically in two common black types. The compounds resulting from mixing these experimental blacks were subjected to a wide range of tests to establish whether fines or moisture significantly affected dispersibility of blacks in rubbers. Ouring the preceding work, and also in the course of a critical review included here, it became evident that the commonly used methods for establishing dispersion (and thus mixing efficiency) were lacking, from several points of view. Therefore lastly a technique based on the analysis of an image of a cut rubber surface viewed by dark field reflected light microscopy was developed. Specimen preparation is simple and analysis is accomplished using a standard television system and oscilloscope. This method yields results which discriminate between all levels of black dispersion and also correlate admirably with a variety of processing, mechanical and microscopical properties. In the final stages of the work the capabilities of the method were expanded (in cooperation with Dunlop Ltd, Technology Division) by interfacing a computer and peripherals with the original equipment; such that data acquisition, manipulation and parameter output was made easier, faster and thus more effective than in the initial concept.

The thesis aims to study the effects of the mixing of immiscible polymers on the frictional properties of rubber compounds. The novelty of this work is to consider the rubber as a heterogeneous material in which the microscopic inhomogeneities are the domains generated from the mixing of immiscible compounds. Systematic experimental tests are performed to investigate the frictional properties of two different groups of tyre compounds, both provided by Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. The first group is represented by the homogeneous compounds realized by using Natural Rubber (NR) or Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) and different amounts of filler and Sulphur. The second group considers heterogeneous compounds, generated by mixing in different percentages the homogeneous compounds, to obtain compounds characterized by microscopic domains of NR and SBR. The experimental outcomes proved that the presence of domains increases the friction coefficients. A Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is performed to correlate the dynamic properties of the specimens with the friction coefficient. The results of the DMA of the homogeneous compounds agree with the frictional properties while the heterogeneous compounds show intermediate dynamical properties in contrast with the frictional results. The DMA is not able to recognize the microscopic domains of the heterogeneous compounds interpreting the system as a uniform material, suggesting that more complex dynamics arise during the sliding. The dependence of friction on the composition of the material is also investigated by using a numerical approach. For this purpose, a straightforward model is chosen to investigate numerically the frictional behaviour of a rubber material starting from the microscopic properties. The model is discretized as a chain of blocks connected by springs and dampers. Playing with the microscopic parameters of the model, such as the elastic modulus and the damping coefficient, it is possible to link the macroscopic frictional response of the bulk to the microscopic characteristics that locally describes the interactions between the blocks. Firstly, the frictional properties of compounds characterized by i) uniformly distributed viscoelastic or elastic elements and ii) a combination of purely elastic and viscoelastic elements randomly distributed is compared. The numerical outcomes reveal an increase of the frictional properties for samples realized by mixing elastic and viscoelastic elements pointing out that the presence of different domains due to the mixing of two immiscible materials, affects the macroscopic frictional response. Secondly, a comparison between the experiments and the numerical simulations is performed to verify if the 1D model can correctly predict the observed experimental behaviour. The 1D model, in its simplicity, is unable to predict the increase of frictional properties observed experimentally testing the heterogeneous compounds, confirming that more complex interactions influence the friction as suggested by the DMA.

O estudo do comportamento quanto ao desgaste de compostos de borracha utilizados na banda de rodagem de pneus automotivos é um fator determinante para o desenvolvimento de produtos mais duráveis, que se adaptem às condições de severidade de diferentes mercados. Para tanto os formuladores precisam desenvolver compostos em um processo interativo, no qual são alterados os componentes da receita e seus níveis na formulação em função da resposta do produto. A tarefa de avaliar o desgaste do pneu é desafiadora, pois este comportamento pode ser influenciado por muitos fatores, tais quais o pavimento, o veículo, o motorista e condições climáticas. Os testes de pneus com veículos em campo proporcionam uma avaliação do desgaste, mas necessitam por volta de 6 meses para apresentar resultados, além de serem custosas. Equipamentos de laboratório foram desenvolvidos para agilizar a obtenção de dados, mas freqüentemente apresentam severidade muito maior que aquela encontrada em campo. Através de parceria científica e tecnológica entre a Escola Politécnica da USP e a Pirelli Pneus, foi desenvolvido equipamento de laboratório que utiliza como contra-corpo amostras de asfalto retiradas das rodovias, trabalhando sob condições controladas. A primeira parte deste trabalho apresenta que esta máquina de testes é capaz de reproduzir o mecanismo de desgaste encontrado em pneus (ondas de Schallamach), simulando as condições de campo e classificando os diferentes compostos em laboratório de modo semelhante ao obtido nos testes em campo. A parte final deste trabalho apresenta a análise do desgaste de composto de borracha em função de diferentes tipos de pavimentos encontrados em rodovias brasileiras. Em um pavimento em boas condições de conservação (ausência de buracos e irregularidades) a sua microtextura terá influência significativa no desempenho dos compostos de borracha utilizados na banda de rodagem dos pneus automotivos. / The wear behavior of tire tread rubber compounds is a fundamental factor in order to develop durable products, which can deal with the severity conditions of a multitude of markets. The rubber compounders must develop products in an interactive process, in which the ingredients and its levels are changed as a function of the market response The tire wear assessment is challenging because this behavior can be influenced by a multitude of factors, as the pavement, the vehicle, the driver and the weather conditions. Outdoor tests in vehicles provide a wear assessment but are expensive and need around 6 months to present results. Laboratory devices were developed to accelerate the data acquisition but frequently present a severity much higher than outdoor tests. A scientific and technological partnership between Escola Politécnica da USP and Pirelli Tires developed laboratory equipment that uses asphaltic counterfaces extracted from Brazilian roads, working under controlled conditions. The first part of this work presents that this testing machine can reproduce the tire wear mechanism (Schallamach waves), simulating the outdoor conditions and sorting the different rubber compounds in a way similar to the outdoor tests. The last part of this work presents a wear analysis of a rubber compound as a function of different pavements found in Brazilian roads. For a pavement with good integrity (absence of holes and irregularities) its microtexture will significantly influence the performance of vehicle tire tread rubber compounds.

O estudo do comportamento quanto ao desgaste de compostos de borracha utilizados na banda de rodagem de pneus automotivos é um fator determinante para o desenvolvimento de produtos mais duráveis, que se adaptem às condições de severidade de diferentes mercados. Para tanto os formuladores precisam desenvolver compostos em um processo interativo, no qual são alterados os componentes da receita e seus níveis na formulação em função da resposta do produto. A tarefa de avaliar o desgaste do pneu é desafiadora, pois este comportamento pode ser influenciado por muitos fatores, tais quais o pavimento, o veículo, o motorista e condições climáticas. Os testes de pneus com veículos em campo proporcionam uma avaliação do desgaste, mas necessitam por volta de 6 meses para apresentar resultados, além de serem custosas. Equipamentos de laboratório foram desenvolvidos para agilizar a obtenção de dados, mas freqüentemente apresentam severidade muito maior que aquela encontrada em campo. Através de parceria científica e tecnológica entre a Escola Politécnica da USP e a Pirelli Pneus, foi desenvolvido equipamento de laboratório que utiliza como contra-corpo amostras de asfalto retiradas das rodovias, trabalhando sob condições controladas. A primeira parte deste trabalho apresenta que esta máquina de testes é capaz de reproduzir o mecanismo de desgaste encontrado em pneus (ondas de Schallamach), simulando as condições de campo e classificando os diferentes compostos em laboratório de modo semelhante ao obtido nos testes em campo. A parte final deste trabalho apresenta a análise do desgaste de composto de borracha em função de diferentes tipos de pavimentos encontrados em rodovias brasileiras. Em um pavimento em boas condições de conservação (ausência de buracos e irregularidades) a sua microtextura terá influência significativa no desempenho dos compostos de borracha utilizados na banda de rodagem dos pneus automotivos. / The wear behavior of tire tread rubber compounds is a fundamental factor in order to develop durable products, which can deal with the severity conditions of a multitude of markets. The rubber compounders must develop products in an interactive process, in which the ingredients and its levels are changed as a function of the market response The tire wear assessment is challenging because this behavior can be influenced by a multitude of factors, as the pavement, the vehicle, the driver and the weather conditions. Outdoor tests in vehicles provide a wear assessment but are expensive and need around 6 months to present results. Laboratory devices were developed to accelerate the data acquisition but frequently present a severity much higher than outdoor tests. A scientific and technological partnership between Escola Politécnica da USP and Pirelli Tires developed laboratory equipment that uses asphaltic counterfaces extracted from Brazilian roads, working under controlled conditions. The first part of this work presents that this testing machine can reproduce the tire wear mechanism (Schallamach waves), simulating the outdoor conditions and sorting the different rubber compounds in a way similar to the outdoor tests. The last part of this work presents a wear analysis of a rubber compound as a function of different pavements found in Brazilian roads. For a pavement with good integrity (absence of holes and irregularities) its microtexture will significantly influence the performance of vehicle tire tread rubber compounds.

No description available.

This thesis is devoted on passenger car tyres. Theoretical part covers description of production, construction and tyre parameters. Practical part is comprised experimental measurement of influence of tread grooves depth on achievable vehicle deceleration. First, it is focused on preparation conditions of measurement, with subsequent processing and evaluation of the data obtained.

No description available.