http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/2017...inter-tire-grip
Quote:
...Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) has launched a studless winter tire in Japan using a liquid rubber developed by Japanese supplier Kuraray Co. Ltd. as a performance-enhancing additive.
The tire, the Dunlop Winter Maxx 02, uses the newly developed polymer in compounds that yield improved ice -grip performance at low temperatures, while impeding the hardening of rubber compounds over time…
The liquid rubber (LFR) uses “farnesene,” a diene monomer developed by U.S. biotech company Amyris Inc. through the fermentation of sugar cane, according to Kurary, which said it will continue to optimize the material’s molecular design to develop new applications…
Explaining the technology further, Kuraray stated: “Due to its optimal molecular weight, LFR reacts completely with solid rubber during vulcanization, meaning, unlike an oil, which would migrate to the rubber’s surface over time and thus impede hardening, it stays bonded. Therefore, its ice-grip performance is maintained over the long term…
“LFR possesses a highly branched brush-like structure with molecular chains that do not easily become entangled with one another. In addition, a highly reactive double bond on the end of each branch ensures that, when vulcanized, LFR completely reacts with solid rubber and solidifies.”
Quote:
...Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) has launched a studless winter tire in Japan using a liquid rubber developed by Japanese supplier Kuraray Co. Ltd. as a performance-enhancing additive.
The tire, the Dunlop Winter Maxx 02, uses the newly developed polymer in compounds that yield improved ice -grip performance at low temperatures, while impeding the hardening of rubber compounds over time…
The liquid rubber (LFR) uses “farnesene,” a diene monomer developed by U.S. biotech company Amyris Inc. through the fermentation of sugar cane, according to Kurary, which said it will continue to optimize the material’s molecular design to develop new applications…
Explaining the technology further, Kuraray stated: “Due to its optimal molecular weight, LFR reacts completely with solid rubber during vulcanization, meaning, unlike an oil, which would migrate to the rubber’s surface over time and thus impede hardening, it stays bonded. Therefore, its ice-grip performance is maintained over the long term…
“LFR possesses a highly branched brush-like structure with molecular chains that do not easily become entangled with one another. In addition, a highly reactive double bond on the end of each branch ensures that, when vulcanized, LFR completely reacts with solid rubber and solidifies.”