A recent article published by Rubber World Magazine discusses a study focused on optimizing zinc oxide (ZnO) usage in passenger car radial tire compounds to mitigate environmental impact.

Zinc oxide, while essential for rubber vulcanization, is known for its environmental persistence and potential toxicity. The study analyzed 10 different tire compounds and demonstrated that ZnO content could be reduced by approximately 25% to 60%, depending on the specific tire component, while maintaining critical performance characteristics such as tensile strength, hardness, and abrasion resistance.

The findings suggest that an average ZnO reduction of around 33% per tire is achievable without significantly compromising quality. Nevertheless, the study highlights the necessity of conducting additional laboratory and field performance tests before these changes can be widely adopted in tire production.

To find out more, read the full article by Rubber World Magazine.