Friction of carbon black-and silica-reinforced elastomers is studied experimentally and theoretically, using Persson's model. The effect of reinforcement fillers on elasticity was determined by dynamical mechanical analysis. Carbon black-filled samples have a higher Young's modulus than the silica-filled compounds. Silicafilled rubbers have a higher tan (d) at lower temperatures and a lower loss tangent at higher temperatures, which is a rough indication for higher wet grip and lower rolling resistance, respectively. Friction tests on a ball-on-disk test rig were performed to study the effect of the reinforcement fillers and their amount on the friction between rubber samples (disks) and relatively smooth or rough granite surfaces (balls). The results were discussed and compared with the friction model presented by Persson. It was shown theoretically and experimentally that hysteresis does not play a significant role in the friction of rubber samples in contact with smooth granite and that it plays a minor role in contact with a rough granite sphere. Therefore, the hysteresis contribution of friction can be neglected in the contact of rubbers with just smooth spheres. Moreover, a higher friction coefficient is seen in samples with a higher content of fillers. Silica-filled compounds show a slightly higher coefficient of friction compared with the carbon black-filled compounds. The effect of attached wear debris to the granite surfaces on the friction level has been studied. The results are supported by SEM and confocal microscopic images of the wear debris itself and wear debris attached to the granite spheres, respectively.

We study the linear and nonlinear viscoelastic properties of two tire tread compounds. We discuss the difference in nonlinear response between the oscillatory tensile and shear modes. We also analyze strain relaxation (creep) data for the same systems. We discuss what type of measurements are most suitable for obtaining the viscoelastic modulus used in rubber friction calculations.

One of the important aspects in the development of new tire compounds is the correlation between the dynamic mechanical properties of the rubber, measured on a laboratory scale, and the actual tire performance. The measuring protocol for dynamic mechanical properties with high precision and good correlation with tire properties is therefore of main concern. To predict wet traction, the viscoelastic behavior of the rubber materials at high frequencies (in the MHz range) need to be known. Viscoelastic master curves derived from time-temperature superposition can be used to describe the properties of the materials over a wide frequency range. The construction of master curves for tread compounds filled with different amounts of silica is discussed. From the vertical shifts as a function of temperature, activation energies are derived that apparently are in the linear response region by fulfilling the Kramers-Kronig relations, and their values correspond to physical phenomena as the underlying principle. Strain sweep viscoelastic measurements, per definition outside the linear region, lead to much higher activation energies. Because the deformation strains employed for these strain sweep measurements are more realistic for wet traction or skidding phenomena, it is concluded that the value of the above measurements in the linear region to predict traction is only limited or a first but still important indication.

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