The Hidden Chemistry Behind Every Tyre

 

The Hidden Chemistry Behind Every Tyre

 What do you discover when you see a tyre? You probably think of a simple round piece of rubber that helps your vehicle move. But in reality, tyres are complex chemical marvels made from a wide range of raw materials, each contributing a specific function—strength, grip, elasticity, heat resistance, durability, and more.

A typical tyre is not just "rubber"—it's a blend of several synthetic and natural components that work in harmony to ensure safety, comfort, and longevity on the road. In this blog post, we will explore all the components of a tyre, their percentage share in the manufacturing process, and how each contributes to the final product.

So, get ready and buckle up as we explore the fascinating inner world of a tyre!

 

All Components of a Tyre and Their Role

Tyres are made using a mix of raw materials, typically classified into rubber compounds, reinforcements, chemicals, and structural materials. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

 

1. Natural Rubber (NR) – 20% to 25%

Function:
Natural rubber provides excellent mechanical strength, elasticity, and low heat buildup. It’s crucial for treads and sidewalls where grip and resilience are required.

Availability:
Sourced primarily from rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia), it is renewable and widely available but price-sensitive due to weather and market fluctuations.

 

2. Synthetic Rubber (SBR, BR, IIR, etc.) – 25% to 30%

Types:

·         SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber)

·         BR (Butadiene Rubber)

·         IIR (Butyl Rubber)

Function:
Synthetic rubbers offer enhanced wear resistance, traction, and fuel efficiency.

·         SBR: Used in tread for wet grip and abrasion resistance.

·         BR: Adds bounce and reduces rolling resistance.

·         IIR/Butyl: Used in inner liners due to low air permeability.

Availability:
Derived from petrochemicals like butadiene and styrene, synthetic rubbers are mass-produced in chemical plants across the globe—especially in the USA, China, South Korea, and India.

 

3. Carbon Black – 22% to 25%

Function:
Carbon black is a reinforcing filler that increases the strength and durability of rubber. It also gives tires their black color and improves UV resistance.

Availability:
Manufactured through the partial combustion of heavy petroleum products, it is readily available in industrialized nations with petroleum refining industries.

 

4. Silica – 5% to 10%

Function:
Used as an alternative to carbon black, especially in green tires. It reduces rolling resistance and improves wet traction and fuel efficiency.

Availability:
Extracted from sand and available globally, though high-performance grade silica is costlier and needs careful sourcing.

 

5. Steel Wires – 10% to 15%

Function:
Steel wires are used in belts and beads to provide strength, stability, and shape retention. They prevent deformation at high speeds and loads.

Availability:
Commonly produced from high-carbon steel, widely available from suppliers in China, Germany, India, and Korea.

 

6. Textile Fabrics (Polyester, Nylon, Rayon) – 2% to 5%

Function:
Textile cords are used in the body ply to give the tire shape, flexibility, and impact resistance.

Availability:
Readily available in both natural and synthetic forms. Most large tire companies source them from in-house or certified textile manufacturers.

 

7. Bead Wire – 1% to 2%

Function:
Bead wire secures the tire to the rim and ensures airtight sealing. It’s crucial for mounting and maintaining pressure.

Availability:
Made from high tensile strength steel, it’s available globally from metal wire manufacturers.

 

8. Antioxidants and Antiozonants – 1% to 2%

Function:
These chemicals protect the rubber from degradation caused by heat, oxygen, and ozone exposure—helping the tire last longer.

Availability:
Derived from petrochemical processes, they are produced by specialty chemical companies worldwide.

 

9. Curing Agents (Sulfur and Accelerators)—1% to 2%

Function:
Sulfur and accelerators like thiazoles and sulfenamides help in the vulcanization process, which gives rubber its final elasticity and heat resistance.

Availability:
Industrial-grade sulfur and accelerators are widely available globally and usually imported by tire manufacturers in bulk.

 

10. Processing Oils – 2% to 4%

Function:
They help in mixing and processing rubber compounds. They influence the softness and flexibility of the tire.

Types:

·         Aromatic oils (older tech)

·         Paraffinic oils (modern & eco-friendly)

Availability:
Refined from crude oil; commonly available from oil refineries worldwide.

 

11. Resins and Tackifiers – 1% to 2%

Function:
These materials improve adhesion between different layers of rubber and reinforce tread performance.

Availability:
Mostly petrochemical-based and supplied by specialty resin producers.

 

12. Zinc Oxide – 1%

Function:
Acts as an activator in the vulcanization process and helps enhance heat conductivity and aging properties.

Availability:
Easily sourced from chemical industries and used across various industries, including rubber.

 

13. Additives (Waxes, Pigments, etc.) – 1%

Function:
Improve appearance, storage durability, and environmental resistance.

Availability:
Widely available from industrial chemical providers.

 

Key   Tyre Raw Materials and Their Share

Raw Material	Percentage Share	Function
Natural Rubber (NR)	20–25%	Strength, elasticity, grip
Synthetic Rubber (SBR, BR)	25–30%	Wear resistance, durability, performance
Carbon Black	22–25%	Reinforcement, UV protection
Silica	5–10%	Wet grip, fuel efficiency
Steel Wires	10–15%	Strength, shape, stability
Textile Fabrics	2–5%	Flexibility, impact resistance
Bead Wire	1–2%	Rim fit and seal
Antioxidants/Antiozonants	1–2%	Rubber longevity
Sulfur & Accelerators	1–2%	Vulcanization, elasticity
Processing Oils	2–4%	Mixing, softness
Resins/Tackifiers	1–2%	Adhesion, reinforcement
Zinc Oxide	~1%	Vulcanization, heat transfer
Additives (Waxes, etc.)	~1%	Finish, environmental resistance

 

Conclusion: More Than Just Rubber – Tyres Are Engineering Marvels

While tyres may look ordinary, their design is anything but simple. They are made from more than a dozen raw materials, each carefully selected and blended to achieve the right balance of strength, flexibility, traction, and durability.

The percentage share of each component is based on the type of tyre—passenger car, two-wheeler, heavy truck, or off-road vehicle—but the chemistry remains impressively intricate. Understanding these components gives us a greater appreciation of the science and engineering that goes into keeping us safe on the road.

Tyres are not just round, black things—they’re technological triumphs beneath your ride.

 

Disclaimer:

The percentages and functions mentioned are approximate and can vary depending on the tyre type, manufacturer, and specific application. For precise formulations, refer to official technical data sheets of tyre companies. This blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only.