YANTAI, Shandong—Linglong subsidiary Shandong Diwei New Materials has been studying the use of hydrotalcite to improve the performances of tires.
The study is part of a joint effort with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing University of Chemical Technology. The program held its first progress meeting July 31, according to a statement on Linglong's website.
Hydrotalcite is a typical anion lamellar material with supramolucular structure. Such structural properties, helped by rubber polymer intercalation, can give the material high air barrier performance to be employed in tire inner liner to raise airtightness.
Hydrotalcite also can be used in a tire sidewall, with the introduction of high-absorbing metal or interlamellar anion to improve the material's ultraviolet absorption and boost the compound's aging resistance.
The project, according to Linglong, will investigate the properties of hydrotalcite and its application in tires to offer the company an edge in tire design and manufacturing.