New SSBR grades from Lanxess Tire & Specialty Rubbers

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The newly formed Lanxesss Tire & Specialty Rubbers business unit recently introduced two new rubber products as alternatives to its Buna VSL 2438-2HM SSBR, which is widely used across the tire industry. Buna FX 3234A-2HM delivers improved polymer/filler interaction in the tread mix, which reduces hysteresis and therefore the rolling resistance of the tires. Grip also has been improved. The product’s glass transition (Tg) temperature is -30 °C.

The second new rubber grade, Buna VSL 3038-2HM, expands the existing Buna VSL family. It is an oil-extended SSBR with a 38% styrene content and 30% vinyl content. Its Tg temperature is 6°C higher at -26 °C, meaning it can provide better grip properties without compromising on rolling resistance (see graph). The higher Tg temperature of Buna VSL 3038-2HM makes it possible, for example, to add more NdBR to the compound, such as Buna CB 24, and thus raise the friction coefficients to a level comparable to that of Buna VSL 2438-2HM or Buna VSL 5025-2HM. The wear resistance of the tread increases greatly as a result.

After the addition of 37.5 phr TDAE oil, Buna FX 3234A-2HM as well as Buna VSL 3038-2HM display a Mooney viscosity of 80MU – a high value that additionally ensures excellent abrasion resistance. The high styrene content of 34 or 38% promotes high dynamic stiffness, making these rubber products ideal for high-performance summer tires.

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Rachel's career in journalism began around five years ago when she started working for UKi Media & Events, having recently graduated from Coventry University where she studied the subject. Her favourite aspect of the job is interviewing industry experts, including researchers, scientists, engineers and technicians, and learning more about the ground-breaking technologies and innovations that are shaping the future of the automotive and tire industries.

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