Compounding of cis-1,4 Polybutadiene for Tire Applications
Abstract cis-1,4-Polybutadiene is proving to be one of the most versatile compounding materials available to the tire compounder. It has characteristics as a polymer which make it acceptable as a replacement for either natural or synthetic rubber in tire applications. The successful use of cis-polybutadiene in this dual role, however, is dependent upon discovering its peculiarities and sensitivities and then exploiting them in that area of the tire where they are most applicable. Laboratory studies, confirmed by over three million miles of tire testing, have shown that in either passenger or truck tires the carcass durability can be substantially improved, operating temperature lowered, low temperature performance improved, and treadwear resistance increased when cis-PBD is properly used in the respective tire components.