Material Properties Affecting Traction and Wear of Passenger Tires

The response of material to interfacial friction and abrasive slippage is discussed. Friction is divided into two factors: viscoelastic and adhesive. With slippage, the adhesive factor results ultimately in abrasion. Abrasion has been studied in the laboratory from a mechanistic approach and in the field from a base material approach.

At least two mechanisms have been found: a tensile failure and a fatigue oxidative failure. Three major components of the tread (carbon black, oil, and polymer) have been found to have the largest influence on friction and wear. Some properties of carbon black and polymers that have been related to wear are reviewed.