Speaker: Dr. Christopher Hardiman
Technology Director of IndustriasNegromex S.A. de C.V., Altamira Mexico
Time: 14:00-15:00 May15th, 2014
Place: Meeting Room in North of Central Hall, Guangrao International Expo Center
The use of silica reinforcing fillers in tire products is growing as a result of the clear performance benefits in rolling resistance, wet traction and tire wear durability. The high cost of energy has increased the awareness of the necessity to further improve tire performance. The environmental impact of inefficient use of hydrocarbon fuels further supports this awareness. Tire Labeling regulations that are being implemented globally are expected to create a strong consumer demand for Green Tires。
The rubber compounding of highly reinforcing silica fillers that are surface functionalized with reactive silane additives has been a critical part of the trend to improved tire performance. The standard method for compounding silica in rubber is to start the mixing process with a silica-silane reaction pass. The use of an internal mixer for this type of chemical reaction is inefficient and causes environmental damage by uncontrolled release of large quantities of VOC emissions, both externally via the mixer vent as well as internally within the tire compound. The internal emissions form VOC filled pores and voids in the tire compound that will be released during later stages of the tire manufacturing process or eventually from the finished tire.
IndustriasNegromex S.A. de C.V. has invented, patented (US Patent 8357733) and commercialized a new Technology of Silica for Rubber Compounding called Emulsil® Silica Masterbatch. The Emulsil® technology has demonstrated clear Tire Performance improvements and also significant benefits for the Environment. The Emulsil® Silica Masterbatch process is based on a Clean process of Silica-silane reaction that virtually eliminates any VOC to the atmosphere. The Emulsil® Silica Masterbatch has been commercialized in a leading North American tire brand with more than 3 million units sold and has also been commercialized in a Truck tire product which has been certified by the US EPA as Smartway compliant Green Tire for commercial trucks.