New Chinese Nano Tires
27 august 2012
At Beijing University of Chemical Technology, new car tires have been produced. According to Wang Yiqin, a researcher at the chemical research laboratory, the new tires will reduce fuel consumption by five percent while driving. This was achieved by modifying the internal structure of the rubber mixture. The developers were able to reduce the friction between molecules.
This, in turn, was made possible by the use of butadiene-styrene rubber and white carbon black. The fundamental novelty of the new tires is that previously, during the production of tires, technical carbon (soot) was used. As a result, the tire's lifespan increased, but its surface was uneven, which caused friction. This, in turn, did not allow for a reduction in fuel consumption. Now, with the use of silica in production, the tire's surface has become smooth, and accordingly, the friction of molecules inside the tread and, consequently, the rolling resistance have decreased significantly.
According to Wang Yiqin, the new tire will reduce fuel consumption by five percent compared to all the most popular tires available today.
The university staff does not want to stop at what has been achieved. Their plans include combining the tire's fuel efficiency with its wear resistance. Research shows that Chinese tires are usually designed for 100,000 kilometers of mileage. When the tread wears out, driving creates dust that negatively affects human health due to the presence of heavy metals in its composition. Scientists are confident that they will be able to create a new tire based on the current one, which will have not only fuel-efficient consumption but also an increased lifespan. The number of microparticles emitted into the atmosphere should decrease by thirty percent.
In addition, Beijing University is working on tire recycling, manufacturing refurbished tires, and developing fuel-efficient tires. The latter are expected to appear on the market soon, but it has not been reported which company will be responsible for their production.
This, in turn, was made possible by the use of butadiene-styrene rubber and white carbon black. The fundamental novelty of the new tires is that previously, during the production of tires, technical carbon (soot) was used. As a result, the tire's lifespan increased, but its surface was uneven, which caused friction. This, in turn, did not allow for a reduction in fuel consumption. Now, with the use of silica in production, the tire's surface has become smooth, and accordingly, the friction of molecules inside the tread and, consequently, the rolling resistance have decreased significantly.
According to Wang Yiqin, the new tire will reduce fuel consumption by five percent compared to all the most popular tires available today.
The university staff does not want to stop at what has been achieved. Their plans include combining the tire's fuel efficiency with its wear resistance. Research shows that Chinese tires are usually designed for 100,000 kilometers of mileage. When the tread wears out, driving creates dust that negatively affects human health due to the presence of heavy metals in its composition. Scientists are confident that they will be able to create a new tire based on the current one, which will have not only fuel-efficient consumption but also an increased lifespan. The number of microparticles emitted into the atmosphere should decrease by thirty percent.
In addition, Beijing University is working on tire recycling, manufacturing refurbished tires, and developing fuel-efficient tires. The latter are expected to appear on the market soon, but it has not been reported which company will be responsible for their production.