As tire companies continue to go higher and higher silica contents to achieve improved tread properties, silica mixing is becoming more difficult.  Tangential rotors yield equivalent performance and greater yield than Intermesh rotors up to around 80 phr silica.  Above that, Tangential rotor performance begins to fall off.  With silica levels in the 100+ phr range, a new hybrid Tangential rotor, the 5THR, has been developed that combines the output of a Tangential rotor with the properties of an Intermesh rotor.  Presented by Richard Jorkasky, Technical Manager, Kobelco Stewart Bolling, Inc.