Modern tire wear presents complex challenges across varied operating conditions, with current passenger vehicle tires experiencing material loss rates of 0.06 to 0.09 mm per 1000 km under normal usage. The interaction between rubber compounds, road surfaces, and environmental factors creates wear patterns that affect both tire longevity and vehicle performance.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing materials and structures that resist abrasion while maintaining critical performance characteristics like wet grip, rolling resistance, and noise generation.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including inverse vulcanizate compositions for enhanced breaking strength, multi-depth sipe designs for sustained performance, optimized steel-reinforced carcass structures, and targeted rubber compounds for specific wear conditions. These and other approaches demonstrate how tire engineering continues to evolve to meet increasing demands for durability without compromising safety or efficiency.

1. Enhancing Silica Dispersion and Properties of <scp>SSBR</scp> Composites via a Novel Surfactant Strategy

dali shi, jian zhang, haodong cai - Wiley, 2025

ABSTRACT A facile strategy to improve silica dispersion and enhance the dynamic performance of silicafilled green tire treads is herein proposed. In this study, sulfurized (Z)sorbitan mono9octadecenoate (SS80) was synthesized characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (LCMS), elemental analysis. It confirmed that (S80) can react with sulfur form larger molecular weight SS80 disulfur or polysulfur bonds. subsequently used in conjunction bis (triethoxysilylpropyl)disulfide (TESPD) modify prepare silica/SSBR composites. Particle size analysis transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed incorporating reduced particle modified enhanced its composite. Dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), rubber process (RPA), tests demonstrated composites exhibit loss, modulus, improved wear resistance, maintained propertiesprimarily due dispersion. Overall, study provides a universal costeffective for enhancing dispersibility hydrophobic matrix.

2. Rubber Composition with Carbon Black Having Defined Oil Absorption, Surface Area, and Hydrogen Evolution Parameters

BRIDGESTONE CORP, 2025

Rubber composition for tires with improved wear resistance, breaking strength, and processability. The composition contains a rubber component and carbon black with specific properties. The carbon black has an oil absorption number of 105-122 mL/100g, CTAB specific surface area of 130-153 m2/g, D50/Dst ratio of 0.75-0.88, oil absorption difference of 11-33 mL/100g, and hydrogen evolution of 2300-3500 ppm. This carbon black provides wear resistance and breaking strength while avoiding excessive structure and agglomeration for better processability compared to conventional carbon blacks.

3. Tire Tread Rubber Composition with Defined Proportions of Liquid Polybutadiene, Aluminum Hydroxide, and Vulcanizing Agent

KUMHO TIRE CO INC, 2025

Tire tread rubber composition that improves wet braking, wear, and snow braking performance while maintaining fuel efficiency. The composition contains specific amounts of liquid polybutadiene, aluminum hydroxide, and vulcanizing agent relative to the total rubber. Using these optimized levels provides a tire compound that dramatically enhances wet grip, wear resistance, and snow traction compared to conventional rubber formulations.

US2025163253A1-patent-drawing

4. Improved Rubber Performance Through Phenolic Resin-Modified Silica: A Novel Coupling Mechanism for Enhanced Recyclability

pilar bernalortega, rafal anyszka, raffaele di ronza - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2025

Passenger car tires (PCTs) usually consist of a silica/silane-filled Butadiene Rubber (BR) or Solution Styrene (SSBR) tread compound. This system is widely used due to improvements observed in rolling resistance (RR) as well wet grip compared carbon black-filled compounds. However, the covalent bond that couples silica via silane with rubber increases challenge recycling these products. Furthermore, this strong unable reform once it broken, leading deterioration tire properties. work aims improve negative aspects silica-filled compounds by developing novel coupling based on non-covalent interactions, which exhibit reversible feature. The formation new was accomplished reacting and phenolic resin order obtain simultaneous interactions hydrogen bonding. reaction performed using two different silanes (amino epoxy silane) an alkyl phenolformaldehyde resin. implementation resulted improved crosslink density, better mechanical performance, superior fatigue behavior, similar indicator.

5. Tire Tread with Alternating Narrow and Wide Crown Blocks for Enhanced Stability and Wear Resistance

SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD, 2025

Tire design with improved stability and wear resistance. The tire has a tread layout with alternating narrow laterally elongated blocks (first crown blocks) between wider longitudinally elongated blocks (second crown blocks). This configuration reduces sideslip while enhancing wear resistance compared to a continuous narrow block tread. The narrow first crown blocks are interspersed between wider second crown blocks that overlap in the circumferential direction. The first crown blocks have shorter width than length, while the second crown blocks have longer width than length.

US2025153513A1-patent-drawing

6. Method for Uniform Curing of High-Modulus Graphene Oxide/Natural Rubber Tires Using Specific Ingredient Ratios

UNIV NORTH CHINA, 2025

A method to make uniformly cured high-modulus graphene oxide/natural rubber tires that have improved wear resistance and tear strength. The method involves optimizing the vulcanization process for thick rubber tires using specific ingredient ratios. It balances internal and external rubber cure to prevent over or under vulcanization. The ratios are: 0.5-5% graphene oxide, 40-120% carbon black, 1-20% activator, 1-20% softener, 1-10% anti-aging agent, 1-10% antioxidant, 1-20% vulcanization accelerator, 1-20% vulcanizing agent, and 1-20% interface modifying agent.

US2025145774A1-patent-drawing

7. Small Diameter Tire with Specific Tread Groove Distribution and Variable Groove Area Ratio

THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD, 2025

A tire with a small diameter that provides wear resistance and noise reduction. The tire has specific dimensions and tread groove distribution to balance wear and noise performance when used on small diameter vehicles like electric cars. The tire outer diameter is 200-660 mm and total width is 100-400 mm. The tread has a groove area ratio of 0.008-0.150% of the tire diameter. The inner region from 48% of the width inward has a higher groove area than the outer region. This tread design reduces noise and improves wear on small diameter tires.

8. Pneumatic Tire with Zigzagging Circumferential Grooves and Sub-Groove Configuration

SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD, 2025

Heavy duty pneumatic tire with improved wet traction and wear resistance. The tire has a zigzagging crown circumferential groove and a zigzagging shoulder circumferential groove. Adjacent crown lateral grooves connect the crowns to shoulders. The crown blocks have smaller sub-grooves with fewer, shorter transverse grooves compared to the wider lateral grooves. This configuration provides enhanced wet traction from the zigzagging main grooves, while the smaller sub-grooves prevent excessive wear.

US12291059B2-patent-drawing

9. Rubber Composition with Silica, Surface-Treated Aluminum Hydroxide, Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer, Liquid SBR, and Tackifier Resin

THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD, 2025

Rubber composition for tires that provides improved wet grip, wear resistance, and low heat degradation compared to conventional tire rubbers. The composition contains specific amounts of silica, surface-treated aluminum hydroxide, styrene-butadiene copolymer, liquid SBR, tackifier resin, and optionally a silane coupling agent. The silica has a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area (N2SA) of 100-300 m2/g and a N2SA/CTAB specific surface area (SSA) of 1.10 or less. The surface-treated aluminum hydroxide improves wet grip. The styrene-butadiene copolymer with high styrene content provides wear resistance. The liquid SBR with high vinyl content and unmodified tackifier resin enhance wet grip. The composition also contains a sil

US2025136795A1-patent-drawing

10. Rubber Composition for Tire Treads with Specific Polybutadiene, Styrene-Butadiene, Silica, and Organosilane Ratios

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025

Rubber composition for tire treads that provides improved wet performance while maintaining snow and wear characteristics. The composition contains specific amounts of polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, silica, organosilane coupling agent, processing oil, resins, and curing agents. The rubber formulation balances wet traction, snow traction, and wear resistance through the selected rubber components and curing package.

11. Additive Composition Comprising Fatty Acid-Polyamine Reaction Product for Silica Dispersion in Rubber Compounds

INGEVITY SOUTH CAROLINA LLC, 2025

Additive composition for improving properties of silica-filled rubber compounds in tires, such as fuel economy, traction, and wear resistance. The composition comprises a reaction product of fatty acid and polyamine. It is added to silica-filled rubber compounds, like tire treads, at low parts per hundred (phr) levels. The additive enhances silica dispersion and reduces payne effect, without affecting key rubber properties like viscosity, scorch, hardness, tensile strength, elongation, abrasion, and modulus. This enables improved tire performance, including lower rolling resistance, enhanced winter/dry traction, and better dry handling, without compromising other properties.

US2025109275A1-patent-drawing

12. Silica-Filled Natural Rubber Compositions with Functionalized Synthetic Polyisoprene for Enhanced Polymer-Filler Interaction

BRIDGESTONE CORP, 2025

Silica-filled natural rubber compositions for tire treads that provide improved properties like tensile strength, tear resistance, wear resistance, and impact resistance compared to traditional natural rubber treads. The compositions contain natural rubber, functionalized synthetic polyisoprene, and a silica filler. The functionalized synthetic polyisoprene has silica-interactive functional groups that impart polymer-filler interaction to the natural rubber domains in the composition, resulting in enhanced properties from both the natural rubber and the functionalized synthetic polyisoprene.

13. Rubber Composition with Specific Curing Accelerator Blend for Enhanced Wear and Aging Resistance

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025

Rubber composition for high mileage truck tires with improved wear resistance and aging properties. The composition contains a specific combination of curing accelerators - sulfenamide, dithiocarbamate, and thiazole/thiuram polysulfide accelerators - along with natural rubber, polydiene rubber, carbon black, and a curative system. This accelerator blend provides optimal tire wear and aging without significant loss in other properties like processing.

14. Rubber Composition for Tire Treads with Defined Diene Rubber Content and Silica to Carbon Black Ratio

Toyo Tire Corporation, 2024

Rubber composition for tire treads that balances low rolling resistance and good wear resistance in heavy-load tires. The composition contains diene rubber with at least 50% natural or isoprene rubber, carbon black with a specific surface area of 80-150 m2/g, and silica with a specific surface area of 120-250 m2/g. The silica content relative to carbon black (silica/carbon black ratio) should be greater than 1.

15. Rubber Composition with High Isoprene Content and Specific Compound Additive for Enhanced Tire Durability and Heat Resistance

Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD, 2024

Rubber composition for tires with improved durability, heat resistance, and abrasion resistance when traveling on rough roads, especially for heavy-duty tires. The composition contains predominantly isoprene rubber (60% or more) along with a small amount (0.1-5.0 parts per 100 parts rubber) of a specific compound represented by formula (1). The composition also has a balance of 40-80 parts carbon black and 30% or less silica based on the total filler load. The low filler density, high isoprene rubber content, and specific compound improves durability and heat resistance without sacrificing abrasion resistance.

JP7453595B1-patent-drawing

16. Rubber Composition with Silica and Zinc Oxide Defined by CTAB Surface Area and DBP Oil Absorption in Isoprene Rubber

YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD, YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD:THE, 2024

Rubber composition that improves wear resistance and chipping resistance. The composition includes silica and zinc oxide, which have a specific relationship between CTAB specific surface area and DBP oil absorption, into rubber including isoprene rubber.

17. Tire Tread with Multi-Depth Sipe Configuration in Tread Blocks

Bridgestone Europe NV/SA [BE/BE], 2023

Tire tread design with sipes that maintain performance as the tire wears. The tread has sipes with three different depths, forming three levels in the tread blocks. The shallowest sipes are at the top level and the deepest sipes are at the bottom level. This allows the sipes to maintain their biting edges and void volume as the tread wears down, improving wet and snow traction over the life of the tire. The staggered depth levels also prevent damage or tearing when the mold is removed from the tread during manufacturing.

US20230302854A1-patent-drawing

18. Motorcycle Tire with Specific Tread Reinforcing Layer and Ply Orientations

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., 2023

Tire construction for a motorcycle tire that provides improved turning performance and durability compared to conventional motorcycle tires. The tire has a tread reinforcing layer with specific belt and band ply orientations and widths. The inner belt ply has cords angled greater than 5 degrees to the tire circumferential direction. The outer belt ply has cords angled greater than 5 degrees but with a wider width than the inner belt ply. The band ply has cords angled less than or equal to 5 degrees. This combination of belt and band ply angles and widths optimizes cornering force distribution and reduces tire wear for improved turning performance and durability.

US20230302852A1-patent-drawing

19. Tire Tread with Variable Amplitude Zigzag Sipes

The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD., 2023

A tire with zigzag sipes in the tread that allows for better traction on snow and ice when the tire is worn. The zigzag sipes have a changing amplitude from the sipe opening to the maximum depth, with the maximum amplitude not at the opening. This ensures that as the tire wears, the exposed sipe edges still provide biting edges for traction.

US20230294457A1-patent-drawing

20. Trisulfide Compound with Specific Sulfur Atom Substitution Patterns for Rubber Compositions

SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED, 2023

A compound that improves the abrasion resistance of rubber compositions such as tires. The compound is a trisulfide with specific substitution patterns on the sulfur atoms.

21. Tire Tread with Circumferential Bending Grooves and Specific Rubber Composition Properties

22. Tire Tread with Chamfered Crown Blocks and Step-Shaped Cross-Section Bends

23. Tires with Chamfered Edge and Raised Bottom Sipe Structure

24. Tire with Multilayer Tread Comprising Intermediate Layer with Specific Modulus, Viscoelastic Loss, and Radial Thickness Ratios

25. Tire Tread with Multi-Element Sipes Featuring Circumferentially Extending Inner Components

The evaluated patents show different methods for improving tire wear resistance and striking a balance between durability and other crucial performance factors. The constant attempts to increase tire longevity while upholding performance criteria are reflected in these advancements, which range from sophisticated rubber formulations to improved tread designs.

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