ZC Rubber intends to supply tires for lunar rovers with self-healing tread
Currently, the development of tires for lunar rovers is being carried out by such large companies as Michelin, Bridgestone, and Goodyear, but all of them, according to available data, focus on the strength of the tire construction for extreme conditions, while the Chinese ZC Rubber has decided to try a new technical solution and equip the "lunar" tire tread with a self-healing function.
According to the patent application filed by ZC Rubber and its subsidiary Hangzhou Haichao Rubber, the tread is planned to be made using silicone rubber, fluororubber, technicarbon, and other components, which should provide the necessary strength and traction in conditions with temperatures ranging from -100°C to 140°C. Another innovation is the addition of polyurethane microcapsules to the rubber mixture, which, in the event of a cut, burst and release a repair material that fills the damaged area, reducing the risk of tire failure and increasing the reliability of lunar rovers.
ZC Rubber notes that NASA has developed lunar rovers that are heavier and can cover longer distances compared to the technology created in the mid-20th century for the Apollo lunar program. For this reason, tires now need to withstand ten times the increased mass of the lunar rover and cover distances 100 times greater, which "requires them to have operational characteristics similar to those of automotive tires used on Earth". At the same time, ordinary materials cannot work satisfactorily in space, as the properties of rubber can vary significantly during the lunar day and night due to significant temperature fluctuations, and the impact of direct solar radiation in the absence of an atmosphere can also lead to a deterioration in the properties of rubber mixtures.
The company adds that currently, the treads of existing lunar rover tires have high temperature resistance, but they "lack the ability to self-heal", and "if microscopic cracks or holes appear in the tread, this can reduce the tire's performance or even lead to its failure, which will affect the operation of the lunar rover".
Photo: CNSA