Application of wet carbon black masterbatch in green mining radial tires

Abstract

In the context of environmental protection and energy consumption reduction, reducing the rolling resistance of mining machinery tires is one of the important methods to achieve the goal of green mining. This study probes the effects of wet mixing with a wet carbon black masterbatch on the rolling resistance and grounding performance of wide‐body vehicle tire treads by investigating the cross‐linking structure, rubber–filler (R–F) interaction force, and physicomechanical properties of the wet mixing rubber compounded with a wet carbon black masterbatch. The results indicate decreases in the maximum torque‐minimum torque difference, cross‐link density, and R–F interaction of the wet mixing rubber and increased filler–filler (F–F) interaction and carbon black dispersion. Meanwhile, the tensile elongation of the wet mixing rubber increases, its DIN abrasion property improves, and its Tanδ decreases at 60°C. A numerical method to estimate tire steady‐state rolling resistance is also developed. Finite element simulation analysis reveals that the steady‐state rolling resistance of the wet mixing rubber is reduced by 7.04% at 100% standard load, and its grounding performance is enhanced. By proposing a method to reduce the rolling resistance of tires, this study also provides a reference for the development of wide‐body vehicle tires.Highlights Explored the filler interaction of wet mixing rubber. Explained the low energy loss of wet mixing rubber. Proposed a new finite element method for calculating tire rolling resistance.