Exploring Effect of a Ternary Filler System on Low Hysteresis and Improved Wet Grip Properties of Sustainable and Fuel-Efficient Tyre Tread Formulations

Significant advancements in developing high-performance, sustainable tyre tread compounds have been achieved through the strategic integration of modified silica into carbon black (CB)/thermally exfoliated graphite hybrid filler systems. While the benefits of hybrid fillers such as CB, graphite, and silica are recognized, limited understanding of their interaction mechanisms with polymer chains has hindered widespread adoption. This study investigates the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of an eco-friendly, green tyre tread compound, focusing on both binary (CB/silica) and ternary (CB, exfoliated graphite/modified silica) filler systems. The key aspect of this research is the utilization of modified silica prepared by the latex imprinting technique along with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) as a compatibilizer to enhance interaction between silica and the NR matrix. The partial replacement of CB with thermally exfoliated graphite and a novel latex-imprinted modified silica with enhanced surface area provides excellent tyre tread properties, such as low rolling resistance, improved wet grip, and reduced heat build-up. The enhanced surface area and porosity of the modified silica, coupled with the hybrid filler system, play a crucial role in reducing hysteresis, resulting in low rolling resistance (0.0376), improved wet grip (0.0796), and very low heat build-up (13°C). This is attributed to the uniform dispersion of modified silica within the polymer matrix, which facilitates improved filler–polymer interactions leading to the development of more sustainable, fuel-efficient tyre tread compounds.