The Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company has begun using a next-generation silica to increase the fuel-efficiency of its tyres. This new silica will be first used in the Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV tyre,<\/p>\n
which is being launched this month in Latin American markets. Tyres containing the silica also will be introduced in other regions within the next year.<\/p>\n
\u2028\u00a0For more than a decade, Goodyear researchers worked with PPG Industries to examine the effects of chemically treated silica on tyre performance. The goal was to further improve rolling resistance without having a detrimental effect on traction in wet conditions. \u00a0In Goodyear\u2019s new EffcientGrip SUV tyre, this next generation silica was used in a new tread compound and a new tread pattern to provide both improved rolling resistance and improved wet traction.<\/p>\n
\u2028\u201cOur customers around the world are demanding more fuel-efficient tyres, but they want us to minimise the typical trade-offs,\u201d said David Zanzig, director of Global Materials Science for Goodyear. \u201cOur materials scientists worked in cross-functional teams and, together with tyre design and construction engineers, they derived an integrated solution that optimises performance. This new silica plays a critical role in satisfying our customers\u2019 needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2028\u00a0Silica is used as a reinforcing agent in tyre tread compounds. Compared to carbon black, a traditional reinforcing agent for tyres, silica reduces rolling resistance. Lower rolling resistance, in turn, improves a car\u2019s fuel economy.<\/p>\n
\u2028In addition, this new silica \u2013 marketed by PPG Industries as AGILON\u00ae performance silica \u2013 has been shown to have processing advantages that also benefit the environment. Since it is easier to mix into compounds, factories can consume less energy in the tyre production process and lessen emissions.
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\nIn its efforts to create more environmentally friendly tyres, Goodyear has been exploring its options with silica. Last year, Goodyear reached supply agreements to purchase silica derived from the ash left behind after rice husks are incinerated.<\/p>\n
\u2028\u00a0\u201cWhile no one source of these new sources of silica are able to fulfill our total demand, they each play an important part in our materials line-up as we strive to create more environmentally friendly tyres,\u201d said Zanzig.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company has begun using a next-generation silica to increase the fuel-efficiency of its tyres. This new silica will be first used in the Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV tyre,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6643,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[649,57,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brands","category-goodyear","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n