Pirelli to patent silica process aid

NAPLES, Italy (May 30)—Pirelli S.p.A. has applied to patent a new ingredient designed to aid the processing and properties of silica-filled tire mixes. Pirelli's innovative ingredient to control silica-rubber interaction in tire mixes is designed to solve some of the well-known problems these mixes give. As well as giving lower viscosity in the uncured tire mix, and better stability of mix viscosity on storage, the aim was at the same time to give "equivalent properties after curing," said Maurizio Galimberti, manager for basic research and technologies in innovative materials, at Pirelli's tire research laboratory in Milan, Italy. "For us innovation in tires, means ... creating a synergy balance between process and materials," said Galimberti at the recent meeting of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers in Naples.