Tire treadwear: The joint influ7ence of Tg, tread composition and environmental factors. A proposed ‘two-mechanism’ theory of treadwater

Abstract The T g of a tread compound strongly influences its treadwear resistance. The nature of this influence is controlled by other factors, principally the degree of reinforcement (type and amount of added carbon black) and by two environmental factors: the ambient tire test (or use) temperature and the microtexture level of the pavement. The results of a comprehensive testing program using both regular convoy treadwear testing and accelerated treawear testing via a cornering trailer are described. These results plus previous published treadwear testing results and the work of other investigators are used to develop a ‘two-mechanism’ qualitative theory of treadwear. The theory holds substantial promise to explain many of the observed variations in compound treadwear performance.