Authors : Adnan A. Alshukri, A.A. Faieza, S.M. Sapuan, A.A. Nuraini, Mohammed Al-Maamori and Dheaa S. Zageer
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the content and particle size of Crumb Rubber (CR) on the mechanical and rheological characteristics of the passenger tyre tread layer. Crumb rubber from ambient grinding of the whole ground tyre was used after it had been subjected to sieve analysis to produce six size categories 40, 150, 180, 250, 425 and 600 μm. Each category was incorporated in different fractions 20, 40 and 60 phr as a filler in a virgin Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) matrix to examine the effect of CR loading on the properties of the blends produced. The results revealed that the mechanical and curing properties of the tread blend were improved as the CR particle size reduced while all the mechanical and rheological properties were reduced in a different manner when the CR content was increased. The findings of the investigation could be used as a handy tool and offer some insight into the material design stage to decide the amount and the grade of CR suitable for certain passenger tyre tread according to the performance required.
Adnan A. Alshukri, A.A. Faieza, S.M. Sapuan, A.A. Nuraini, Mohammed Al-Maamori and Dheaa S. Zageer, 2017. Effect of Crumb Rubber Content and Particle Size on the Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Passenger Tyre Tread Composite. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 12: 232-238.