Technical Notebook: Sustainability and truck tire performance, with carbon black as the enabler

Fuel expenses are one of the major operational costs encountered in the trucking industry.

The fuel and energy losses in moving a large truck or tractor trailer combination are due to aerodynamics, drivetrain losses, parasitic losses such as compressors and electrical systems, and tires. Of these four factors, aerodynamic losses and tires are dominant. For tires, energy losses are primarily due to the tread components with the tread compound accounting for approximately 50 percent of whole tire rolling resistance. In addition to tread design, compound hysteresis is the controlling parameter regarding rolling resistance.

Though hysteresis is important, other performance parameters include wear resistance, damage resistance, compound aging resistance and durability. For commercial truck tires, high levels of natural rubber and carbon black are typically required for maintenance of wear resistance, compound tear strength and compound component-to-component adhesion.

New technology bio-modified carbon blacks can allow the maintenance of tire treadwear and damage resistance, while facilitating a significant reduction in hysteresis and consequent impact on reducing tire rolling resistance. Such new carbon black grades used in truck tires can thus have an important impact on fleet fuel usage and reduce CO2 emissions in addition to extending tire service life.