Rubber materials and combined rubber products cannot be replaced by other products. The unique combination of characteristics and performance qualities allows the use of such materials in complex work processes, complementing the design of machines, machine tools, instruments and building structures. Modern rubber production has made significant technological progress, which is reflected in the quality of the products. Technologists strive to increase the durability, strength and resistance of products to external factors.

What raw materials are rubber made from?

Most rubber materials are obtained from the industrial processing of synthetic and natural rubber mixtures. This treatment is achieved by cross-linking rubber molecules with chemical bonds. Recently, powdered raw materials have been used for the production of rubber, the characteristics of which are specifically designed for the formation of injection molds. These are ready-made compositions based on liquid rubber, from which ebonite products are also produced. The vulcanization process itself is not complete without special activators or agents - these are chemicals that help maintain optimal working qualities of the mixture. Typically, sulfur is used for this task. These are the components that form the basis of the kit required to make rubber. But, depending on the required performance qualities and purpose of the product, technologists introduce production stages at which the structure of the product is enriched with modifying elements.

Additives for modifying rubber compounds

During the manufacturing process, the rubber mixture can be filled with accelerators, activators, vulcanization agents, softeners and other components. Therefore, the question of what rubber is made of is largely determined by auxiliary additives. For example, regenerates are used to preserve the structure of the material. With the help of this filler, the rubber product can be subjected to secondary vulcanization. A considerable part of modifiers does not affect the final technical and operational properties, but plays a significant role directly in the manufacturing process. The same vulcanization process is corrected by accelerators and retarders of chemical reactions.

A separate group of additives are plasticizers, that is, softeners. They are used to lower the temperature during vulcanization and disperse other ingredients in the composition. And here another question may arise - how much do additives and the rubber itself affect the chemical safety of the mixture being formed? That is, what is rubber made from from an environmental point of view? In part, these are truly hazardous mixtures that include sulfur, bitumen and dibutyl phthalates, stearic acids, etc. But some of the ingredients are natural substances - natural resins, rubber, vegetable oils and wax components. Another thing is that in different mixtures the ratio of harmful synthetics and natural ingredients may change.

Stages of the rubber product manufacturing process

The industrial production of rubber begins with the process of plasticization of raw materials, that is, rubber. At this stage, the main quality of future rubber is acquired - plasticity. Through mechanical and thermal treatment, rubber is softened to a certain extent. From the resulting base, rubber will be subsequently produced, but before this, the plasticized mixture is subject to modification with the additives discussed above. At this stage, a rubber compound is formed, to which sulfur and other active components are added to improve the characteristics of the compound.

An important step before vulcanization is calendering. Essentially, this is the molding of a raw rubber mixture that has been enriched with additives. The choice of calendering method is determined by the specific technology. Rubber production at this stage may also involve extrusion. While conventional calendering aims to create simple rubber forms, extrusion makes it possible to produce complex products in the form of hoses, O-rings, tire treads, etc.

Vulcanization as the final stage of production

During the vulcanization process, the workpiece undergoes final processing, due to which the product receives characteristics sufficient for operation. The essence of the operation is to apply pressure and high temperature to a modified rubber mixture enclosed in a metal mold. The molds themselves are installed in a special autoclave connected to a steam heater. In some areas, rubber production may also involve pouring hot water, which stimulates the process of distributing pressure through the fluid. Modern enterprises are also striving to automate this stage. More and more new molds are appearing that interact with steam and water supply nozzles based on computer programs.

How are rubber products produced?

These are combined products that are obtained by combining fabric materials with a rubber mixture. In the process of manufacturing rubber products, paronite is often used - a hybrid material obtained by combining heat-resistant rubber and inorganic fillers. Next, the workpiece undergoes rolling processing and vulcanization. Rubber products are also produced using syringe machines. In them, the workpieces are subjected to thermal effects, after which they are passed through the profiling head.

Equipment for rubber manufacturing processes

The full production cycle is carried out by a whole group of machines and units that perform different tasks. The vulcanization process alone is served by boilers, presses, autoclaves, formers and other devices that provide intermediate operations. A separate unit is used for plasticization - a typical machine of this type consists of a spiked rotor and a cylinder. The rotation of the rotor part is carried out by means of a manual drive. Rubber production is not complete without cooking chambers and calender units, which roll out rubber mixtures and apply thermal effects.

Conclusion

The manufacturing processes of rubber products are largely standardized both in terms of mechanical processing and chemical exposure. But even if the same production equipment is used, the characteristics of the resulting products may be different. This is also proven by domestically produced rubber, which offers different sets of performance properties. The largest share of rubber products in the Russian industry segment is occupied by automobile tires. And in this niche, the ability of technologists to flexibly modify compositions in accordance with stringent requirements for the final product is especially evident.

If it is necessary to replace old tires with new ones, all motorists have a question about how to find out their year of manufacture. It can be read on the tire rim, because every manufacturer must indicate the date of manufacture. But there are no uniform standards, so sometimes this can be difficult to do. You can read about where you can find the year of manufacture on tires, their service life and recommended operating conditions in this article.

Tire markings

On each tire you can find a set of signs and designations. At first glance, it may seem that the load parameters, tire design or tire size are very complex. But in fact, any motorist can understand the markings and decoding of a tire. Typically, the following characteristics can be found on tires:

• Tire type - this designation determines whether the tire is tubed or tubeless.
• Tire size - includes several dimensions: width, profile height and inner ring size. Usually indicated in the format 210/55-18.
• Load index - shows the maximum permissible maximum weight that wheels with maximum internal pressure can withstand.
• Manufacturer - this inscription is usually in large and noticeable letters. This indicator is the first thing motorists pay attention to when choosing tires.
• Seasonality - the designation All Season indicates the possibility of year-round use of such wheels.
• Speed ​​index - shows the maximum permissible speed.
• The date of manufacture is usually indicated by a four-digit code, by which you can find out in what month and year the tires were produced.
• Weather Conditions - If you see umbrella markings on your tires, they are most likely designed for wet and rainy weather and have high aquaplaning protection.

Tire life

Most drivers know that there are two parts that you shouldn't skimp on in your car: brakes and wheels. Tires are a key element of your safety, as they provide traction and effective braking. Both your health and the service life of the car depend on how high quality and correctly selected they are. Therefore, the issue of choosing tires should always be approached with special care.

Over time, tires wear out, so it is necessary to replace them with new ones in time. It's better to do this a little earlier than to drive on tires that have worn down to the very base of the tread. What is the service life of tires? Of course, a lot depends on the operating conditions. But the maximum permissible period is considered to be 45 thousand kilometers. Experts no longer recommend delaying changing tires. Observing seasonality and careful driving helps to extend the life of wheels.

Why find out the manufacturing date of tires?

So does it make sense to look at the date of manufacture of tires, since the number of kilometers on them is still not displayed? This parameter is worth checking out when purchasing new tires. In this case, it is useful to know when they were made. Due to improper storage, they can deteriorate, and in this case, the newer the product, the better. At the correct temperature conditions, tires can be safely stored for 3-5 years. But before purchasing such products, you need to carefully inspect the tires for cracks, wear and other marks. Ask the seller for a quality certificate to avoid unpleasant situations.

How to find out the year of manufacture of a tire

You can find out when a tire was produced by reading the corresponding marking. Where is the year of manufacture on the tires? Each batch of manufactured products has a four-digit code, which hides the year of manufacture of the car tire. This date is usually located on the tire rim. For convenience, they are often found in an oval stamp, so finding these numbers is not difficult.

The date itself usually consists of three to four digits that indicate the month and year of production. For example, the designation “0815” can be deciphered as follows:

• 08 - the eighth week of the year, i.e. the end of February;
• 15 - year of manufacture.

Thus, after reading this designation, you can immediately understand that the tire was released in August 2015. The four-digit designation was introduced in 2000, so when you see three numbers instead of four, you can immediately understand that such tires were produced in the last century.

Year of manufacture on Japanese tires

On Japanese brand tires, the expiration date is indicated in exactly the same way as on all others. The year of manufacture on Nokian tires is indicated on the side surface, next to the DOT inscription. If you could not find the manufacturing date when purchasing used tires, then it is better to postpone such a purchase, because it is not known how long it has already “lived.” How to find out the years of manufacture of a tire if the date has been erased or is not visible? You can also determine the wear period of tires by eye. By what signs can you recognize old tires?

• Loss of elasticity - if you start to bend the rubber, it will become difficult to give in. The newly released product can be easily bent as the new tires are elastic and more durable.
• The appearance of cracks - the smallest of them may not be visible to the human eye. You can detect them if you bend the tire a little. Such a product has most likely already been used and it is better not to buy it.
• The dark gray color of the tires may also indicate that they are old.
• Violation of geometry is one of the most noticeable signs of improper tire storage. It is also better to refuse such a product, because no one knows how long such “new” tires will last.

What else should you pay attention to when buying tires?

When choosing new “shoes” for your car, it is important to pay attention not only to the year of manufacture of the tires. There are a number of signs by which you can understand that the product was stored incorrectly:

• Blisters and hernias on the surface of the tire indicate that the tire has already been used. Under no circumstances should you buy such tires, because such new formations cause an imbalance in the tires, which cannot be removed at any tire shop.
• Microcracks on the sidewall - most likely, a product with such problems can no longer be sold due to improper storage or expiration of its service life.
• Traces of welding or sealant indicate that “restorers” have worked on the tire. Some tires can still be retreaded; there are even entire companies that do this. But often vulcanizing pastes used to seal cuts and cracks are ineffective. The tires start to deflate, the car starts to drive, in general, you definitely won’t get any pleasure from driving on such tires.

Even when buying used tires, carefully inspect them for the above signs. If you find at least one of them, postpone such a purchase until later.

Extending tire life

Tire life depends not only on the year the tire was made, but also on how you store it. After a seasonal tire change, many people send them to collect dust in cold garages, or even worse, on the street. Such treatment reduces the service life of tires by two or even three times. What rules must be followed to ensure that tires serve you for a long time?

• Compliance with temperature conditions is the main condition for the safety of tires. At the same time, low temperatures are not as scary for them as elevated ones. If it is above 25 degrees, the rubber begins to deform at the molecular level, and this negatively affects its performance.
• Optimal humidity is also very important to preserve all the qualities of tires. If the room is too humid, moisture will settle on the surface of the rubber. In such conditions, nothing critical will happen in a couple of months, but if the tires are stored in such a room from year to year, you cannot count on their long service life.
• For storing tires, a vertical position is preferable. Do not stack the tires in a “column” on top of each other. Rubber should also not be left in direct sunlight, as this may cause cracks to appear on the surface.

There is an opinion among motorists that it is best to buy all tires of the same year, as this will improve the car’s road grip characteristics. But it’s not easy to find tires from different batches with the same release dates, and is it even necessary? Experts say that the year a tire was manufactured has absolutely no effect on its parameters if the product was stored correctly and the deadlines were met. Therefore, if you bought 5-6-year-old tires at a discount at a sale, you should not think that they will not last very long.

It is better to buy such tires from a well-known manufacturer than tires from an unknown brand that have just rolled off the assembly line. Believe me, the former have a better chance of working out their 5-7 years without problems. If you are determined to buy only the best tires, then it is better to take a closer look at the new products on the market. They will definitely be with the latest production date.

Results

When choosing new or used tires, be sure to pay attention to the date of manufacture. How to check the year of manufacture of a tire? You need to pay attention to the color and presence of cracks on the surface of the rubber. Old tires turn from black to gray, and a scattering of cracks can be seen on their surface. If you come across such a product, ask to bring the product from a newer delivery or refuse the purchase altogether. But do not forget about other parameters when choosing tires: evaluate the profile height, make sure that they are exactly suitable for your car. Choose tires taking into account seasonality, store them correctly, and then they will serve you for many years!

In the last few years, one of the most important criteria when deciding to purchase a particular tire model has become the country of its production. One of the reasons is the difference in price. Thus, the price of the same tire model, in the same size, can differ significantly depending on the country of its production. Another reason is prestige.

Many drivers, especially the older generation, still believe that high-quality tires can only be made in Germany or Japan. And when they find out that, for example, the Goodyear they have chosen is made in Turkey, Bridgestone in Indonesia, and Michelin in Thailand, they often refuse to buy. They can be understood; they are accustomed to thinking in clichés since the times of the Soviet Union.

However, time does not stand still; we live in a world of transnational corporations and global brands. Globalization, the highest level of competition among manufacturers and the struggle for every buyer are the reasons for the current situation. In an effort to reduce prices for the end customer, manufacturers are moving their factories to countries with cheaper labor. At the same time, such tires will be sold all over the world, therefore its quality must be at its best, otherwise trust in the brand will be irretrievably lost. Trust and brand loyalty are the basis of sales. Conclusion - the quality of a product should not depend on the place of its production. This is confirmed in practice; there are no less defective tires (of well-known brands) made in Europe than in Asia.

The following brands of automobile tires by country of production are presented on the Ukrainian market. The list is by no means complete, but it gives some idea.

Achilles - Indonesia;

Amtel – Russia;

Barum(Continental) - Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Romania;

Bridgestone - Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Poland, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Italy, France;

BFGoodrich - Poland, Romania, England, USA;

Continental - Germany, Portugal, USA, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Romania, Malaysia, Greece;

Cordiant – Russia;

Dunlop(GoodYear) - Germany, Japan, USA, Thailand, Indonesia, Poland;

Debica(GoodYear) - Poland, France, Türkiye;

Diplomat(GoodYear) - Poland, Slovenia, Türkiye;

Falken - Japan, Thailand, Indonesia;

Federal - Taiwan, China;

Fulda(GoodYear) - Germany, France, Poland, Thailand, Türkiye, South Africa;

General(Continental) - Germany, USA, Romania;

Gislaved(Continental) - Germany, Portugal, France, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Romania, Greece;

Goodyear - Germany, France, USA, Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, Thailand, China, South Africa;

Hankook - Korea, China, Hungary;

Kumho - Korea, China, Vietnam;

Lassa – Türkiye;

Marangoni – Italy;

Matador(Continental) - Czech Republic, Slovenia, Greece, Russia;

Marshal(Kumho) - Korea, China;

Michelin - Germany, France, Italy, Spain, England, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Japan, USA, Canada, Thailand, Indonesia, China;

Nexen-Roadstone - Korea, China;

Nokian - Finland, Russia, China, Indonesia;

Pirelli - Germany, Italy, USA, Russia, Turkey, China, Brazil, England, Romania, Egypt;

Riken – Serbia;

Sava(GoodYear) - Germany, France, USA, Slovenia, Poland, Türkiye;

Toyo - Japan, USA, Malaysia;

Tigar – Serbia;

Yokohama - Japan, Philippines, Thailand, China.

Let’s imagine a situation: Michelin or Goodyear, it doesn’t matter, built a new plant in China, spent several hundred million dollars on it and began producing low-quality tires under their own brand (after all, it is known that all products made in China are of low quality ;)). Then “he” sends this rubber to Europe and America in order to “discourage” the desire of local consumers to buy products of his brand. Strange, isn't it?

Conclusion. Perhaps we should think a little and reconsider some of the existing stereotypes in our thinking.

How to buy?

You can buy tires by ordering by phone

Pickup in Dnepr- Once you have made your choice, simply agree on the time of your arrival.

Delivery throughout Ukraine- Intime and Nova Poshta, payment upon receipt (cash on delivery).

Minimum tread height

The height (or depth) of the tread has a decisive influence on the tire's ability to maintain the required level of traction on wet or snowy surfaces.

Over time, all tires wear out. The question arises - what is the maximum permissible minimum tread height?

Country of manufacture of the tire

In the last few years, one of the most important criteria when deciding to purchase a particular tire model has become the country of its production.

One of the reasons is the difference in price. Thus, the price of the same tire model can differ significantly depending on the country of its production.

Tire- This is the only part of the car that comes into contact with the road. The area of ​​this contact (contact patch) is approximately equal to the area of ​​one human palm. Thus, the car is held on the road with only four palms! Therefore, tires are without a doubt a very important element of driving safety.

In addition to the very important task of providing traction and controllability of the car, the tire must also provide comfort, wear resistance, reduce fuel consumption and complement the appearance of the car. The need to combine such different characteristics makes tire design a much more complex process than it might seem at first glance. And no less research and technology is involved in the manufacture of tires than in the creation of a mobile phone.

Conventionally, the stages that a tire goes through before reaching store shelves can be divided into 3 stages:

Market analysis

Model simulation and testing

Mass production

Market analysis

When researching the market, Michelin pays great attention to the needs of drivers, not only current, but also possible future tire requirements. The development of the automobile market is also being monitored.

Particular attention is paid to the peculiarities of using tires in specific conditions, which include not only driving characteristics, but also climatic conditions, road specifics and surface quality.

All this allows us to fully satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers.

Model simulation and testing

Based on the data obtained, painstaking work begins on creating the future tire. This process involves not only chemists and designers, but also many other specialists, for example, industrial designers.

The success of the future tire depends on the joint work of various specialists. A high-quality and reliable tire is not so much a technological secret as a real art, which consists in the correct selection, dosage and interconnection of the various components of the tire.

Creating a rubber compound

Its development, preparation and production is akin to creating a culinary masterpiece. This is the most secret part of the tire, and although about 20 main components are widely and well known, it is not possible to learn more about the rubber compound. After all, the secret lies not only in the components of the mixture, but in their competent combination and balance, which will give the tire its specific functions.

The main elements of a tire's rubber compound:

Rubber.There are two types - natural and synthetic, added to the rubber mixture in various proportions depending on the purpose of the tire, and is its basis. Natural rubber is the dried sap of the Hevea tree; it is also found in other types of plants, such as dandelions, but due to the complexity of the production process, it is not produced from the latter.

Synthetic rubber is a product made from petroleum. Currently, several dozen different synthetic rubbers are used, each of which has its own characteristic features that affect the specific characteristics of the tire. The latest generations of synthetic rubbers are very close in properties to natural ones, but the tire industry still cannot abandon the latter.

Carbon black.A significant part of the rubber mixture consists of industrial carbon black (carbon black), a filler offered in various versions and giving the tire its specific black color. Carbon black was first used in tires at the beginning of the 20th century; before that time, tires were pale yellow (the color of natural rubber). The main purpose of carbon black is to create reliable molecular compounds to give the rubber mixture special strength and wear resistance.

Silicon dioxide (silica).This component was once introduced into the rubber mixture as a replacement for carbon black. In the process of testing the new composition, it was revealed that silicon dioxide cannot displace soot from the rubber mixture, since it does not provide the same high strength of rubber. However, the new component improved the tire's grip on wet road surfaces and reduced rolling resistance. As a result, these two elements are now used together in the tire, with each of them giving the tire its best qualities.

Sulfur.It is one of the components involved in vulcanization. Through this process, the plastic raw rubber compound is transformed into elastic and durable rubber.

When creating a tire, work is carried out not only on the characteristics of the tire, but also on the aesthetic side; a large number of different tread pattern designs are considered. The use of modeling methods allows you to select a pattern that best complements the existing rubber compound and the internal structure of the future tire. Based on the results of computer modeling, the best samples are put into production and subjected to real tests.

Every year, Michelin specialists carry out numerous tests, during which over 1.6 billion km are driven. That's approximately 40,000 trips around the globe. During the testing process, the final features of the future tire are being finalized. Once all tests have been completed and the results correspond to the initial specifications, the tire is put into mass production.

Production

The initial stage of launching any tire into mass production is preparing production sites.

The Michelin company owns. And the main task of this stage is to adjust each production process in such a way that the tire meets not only the original technical specifications, but also in all respects does not differ from a similar tire produced in any other country.

In a subsequent mass production process, each MICHELIN tire is produced by highly trained specialists using a variety of manual and automatic equipment. When necessary, Michelin designs its own equipment to meet production needs.

Main stages of tire production:

Preparation of rubber mixtures. As mentioned above, the formulation of each rubber compound is the basis for providing the tire with the necessary functions.

Creating bus components. At this stage, a tread band is formed from the resulting rubber, and the “skeleton” of the tire is created - a frame and a breaker. The first is made of layers of rubberized textile threads, and the second is made of rubberized high-strength metal cord. The tire bead is also prepared, with which the tire is attached to the rim. Its main part is a bead ring made of many turns of wire.

Assembly. Layers of the frame and breaker, bead rings, and a tread with sidewalls are sequentially applied to a special assembly drum. Then all these tire parts are combined into a single whole - the tire blank.

Curing. The prepared workpiece is placed in a vulcanizer mold. Steam is supplied inside the tire under high pressure and the outer surface of the mold is heated. Under pressure, a relief pattern is drawn along the sidewalls and tread. A chemical reaction (vulcanization) occurs, which gives the rubber elasticity and strength.

A particularly important element of production is quality control. It begins with checking the quality of each tire element at the procurement stage, is present at every stage of production and ends with a multi-level audit of the finished product..

The guarantee of the quality of Michelin products is also the presence of a production guarantee - 5 years from the date of production. The manufacturer's warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials.

I continue with interesting and useful articles. The first one was about . Today I want to talk about rubber or tires. What are they made of and how do they travel to our shelves? Many people mistakenly think that everything is based on oil, many are even sure that it is 90% of it, but this is not entirely true. AT the dawn of their appearance, tires were almost 100% a product of nature...

Before I tell you about modern tires, let me dig into history and tell you about rubber at the dawn of its production.

What is rubber?

Let it be known that the main component of rubber is made from rubber, and this is a very natural material that is extracted from rubber trees. In southern Africa, such trees have existed for a very long time; it is even difficult to calculate their age. However, Europeans became acquainted with them in the 16th century, when Christopher Columbus returned to his homeland.

If you break down the word “RUBBER” into its components, you get “KAU” - plant, tree, “UCHU” - cry, flow. That is, if literally translated, this is a “crying tree”, from the language of the Indians of the Amazon River tribe. However, there is also a scientific name - “CASTILLA”, it grows on the banks of the Amazon River in the impenetrable jungle.

"CASTILLA" is a very tall tree; it grows 50 meters in height and blooms all year round. In the skin, leaves and inflorescences, there is a lot of so-called milky juice, which contains natural rubber. Due to the fact that these trees are very large, branches or flowers often broke, and at the point of the break the tree “cryed” with such sap.

These are the two main plants that produce natural rubbers. In Central Asia, as well as on the shores of South America, Brazil, Peru, and the island of Sri Lanka, there are entire plantations of such trees that exist for only one purpose - to extract this juice! This has been an established business for a long time.

The top five “popular” plants also include: “CASSAVO”, “TALCO TREE” and the “IN-TIZI” shrub. All of them are sources for subsequent rubber production.

As I wrote above, rubber was brought to Europe a very long time ago, but K. MACKINTOSH, not to be confused with computers from APPLE, decided to use it for the first time, he was the first to impregnate a raincoat with this composition, thanks to which it turned out to be practically waterproof . In cold weather it became dense and waterproof, but in hot weather it became a little “sticky”. It should be noted that MACKINTOSH learned this method from the Indians from the Amazon; for several centuries they had been impregnating their clothes, as well as plants needed for the production of house roofs, with rubber - the waterproof characteristics increased significantly.

So we indirectly owe the appearance of rubber to the Amazon Indians! Watch the short video.

Rubber production

Well, here we come to the most interesting part - the production of rubber itself, and these are not necessarily car wheels, rubber is now used everywhere, even in hair ties.

Once the rubber sap is collected, it is still a long way from producing rubber. Initially, latex is produced from it, this is an intermediate link. However, pure latex is now used everywhere, from medicine to industry.

The juice is poured into large vats and stirred in large vats of acid, usually for 10 hours. After which it hardens. This is already latex.

Afterwards it is passed through special rollers, thus removing excess moisture. The result is a long and fairly wide ribbon.

This tape is run under special knives and crushed. If you look at this composition, it looks like an overcooked omelette.

I burn this air mass in large ovens under the influence of fairly high temperatures - 13 minutes. Now it turns out elastic and biscuit-like, it is pressed into blocks and sent to production.

Of course, in the networks you will not find the exact formula for the production of rubber, much less tires, all this is kept strictly secret. However, the essence of the process has not changed over the past 100 years and has long been known to everyone.

To make rubber, you need to take these latex briquettes and vulcanize them. Sulfur and other “hidden” ingredients are also added to this composition. All this is added to a special boiler, heated, mixed, and after such manipulations rubber appears.

As soon as it is heated to 120 degrees, it is rolled out with special rollers to thin strips. That's where it cools down.

After these strips, read the article.

Modern tires fortires

In the modern world, tires for wheels are made mainly of rubber. But it can be not only natural, but also synthetic. Yes, now we have learned to produce synthetic rubbers. Rubber has the largest share in the composition, usually 40-50% of the total mass.

Next, soot (or carbon black) is added to the rubber. The mass fraction of the wheel is approximately 25-30% of the total mass. It is added for greater structural strength, as well as to withstand high temperatures. Soot, as it were, holds rubber molecules together making them much stronger, they can easily withstand friction and temperature during emergency braking. Without this carbon (soot), tires would run 10-15 times less.

The next additive is silicic acid. Some manufacturers replace carbon with it, since it is cheaper and has high molecular adhesion properties. However, others completely refuse it, stating that it provides insufficient wear resistance! However, if you still analyze the composition of many leading companies, then it is present in the composition, it improves grip on wet roads. Information varies on how much is added, but if you take the average it is approximately 10%.

Other additives are resins or oils. There are more of them in winter tires and fewer in summer tires; they give a “softening role” to the rubber and prevent it from being so “oaky”. This is especially important for winter options. Adding about 10-15%.

Well, the last and very important thing is the specific secret compounds of the manufacturer, there are also about 10% of them, but they can greatly change the parameters of the finished tire. They are kept, of course, in strict confidence.