Cabot looks to reduce tire rolling resistance and boost durability with new carbon blacks

ERJ staff report (BC)

Boston - Cabot Corporation announced and highlighted two new carbon black products for tire tread applications at Tire Technology Expo 2014.

Propel E7 carbon black is designed to enable tires with lower rolling resistance without sacrificing tire durability. According to Cabot, laboratory tests of Propel E7 demonstrate that it reduces the hysteresis (energy loss) of typical tire tread compounds by 15 percent against comparable lab tests of Cabot Vulcan 7H carbon black, enabling reductions in tire rolling resistance. Primary applications for Propel E7 are on-highway, long-haul truck tire treads and retreads.

Propel D11 carbon black is engineered to provide a high level of rubber reinforcement than hitherto, enabling tire treads that resist cutting, tearing and abrasion, and extend the useful life of a tire. Cabot cites lab tests of Propel D11 carbon black demonstrating a 10 percent improvement in laboratory abrasion resistance in natural rubber compounds compared with Cabot Vulcan 10H. Primary applications for this product are short-haul truck and offroad vehicle tire treads. It also can be used in passenger car and light truck tire treads where maximum durability is required.

John Reese, vice president for global marketing with Cabot Reinforcement Materials said: "We recognise that tire manufacturers need new reinforcing materials that enable them to develop differentiated and high-performance product offerings. Our deep understanding of our customers’ needs, their industries and the global trends that impact their businesses, enables us to create and deliver differentiating solutions. With these new carbon black products we can help tire manufacturers significantly improve tire performance through enhanced durability and reduced rolling resistance."