Esso Energy Award Lecture, 1984 - A new tyre polymer improving fuel economy and safety

Abstract

A new philosophy, relating to both rolling resistance (fuel consumption) and wet grip (safety), has been developed, based on measurements of the dynamic properties of tread compounds in the laboratory under conditions approaching those existing at the tyre-road surface interface under both rolling and wet sliding conditions. The generally accepted wet grip theories used throughout the tyre industry lead to the conclusion that when wet grip is improved, there is an increase in rolling resistance. The new philosophy enabled a tailor-made polymer to be developed that broke away from convention and gave a reduced rolling resistance while improving wet grip. Extensive laboratory and vehicle testing was performed on tyres made with the new polymer, to verify the new hypothesis and to ensure that the polymer was a commercial proposition before it was officially announced and introduced into commercial tyres during late 1981.