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Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has elucidated the mechanism of rubber destruction, a critical factor that determines the durability of tires, through joint research with Professor Gert Heinrich at Dresden University of Technology (Saxony State, Germany). The findings were presented in an invited talk of the American Chemical Society, Rubber division, ACS 2025 Spring Technical Meeting^*1 held in Orlando, Florida, the United States on March 6 and 7.

Presentation by Dr. Toshio Tada, Head of the Next-Generation Materials Research Department	Left: Department Head Tada Right: Professor Gert Heinrich

The collaborative project was participated in by the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden^*2 to which Professor Heinrich belongs.

 “Cracking phenomena,” which cause cracks and tears in a rubber material to develop, are a determinant of the durability of tires. In the past, tearing tests were mainly used to access the durability of rubber, but many questions remained about microscale structural changes in a crack tip. This project used a simulation technique to analyze the force applied on a crack tip in rubber and elucidated a determinant of cracks initiation and propagation.

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 A crack tip in rubber underdoes dilation deformation to form voids (i.e., microvoids in the object). The voids grow and unite, further deteriorating the crack. Meanwhile, it was also found that the formation of voids reduces the stress concentrated on the crack tip.

We will continue to study the distribution of force and crack characteristics observed when the dispersed state of voids is changed, and pursue the development of environmentally friendly tires with high antiwear performance.

Professor Heinrich is recognized as a world authority in the field of polymer material and elastomer technology. He recently received the Charles Goodyear Medal, which is awarded by the American Chemical Society to individuals who made a significant contribution to important invention, innovation, or development in the rubber industry.

This presentation was given as an invited talk in a special session titled “Combining Physics, Chemistry & Engineering of Rubber: A Symposium in Honor of Charles Goodyear Medalist Gert Heinrich,” which was held in commemoration of the Professor’s medal-winning.

 

We unveiled our own unique Circular Economy Concept for the Tire Industry, which we call TOWANOWA*3, in March 2023. TOWANOWA features a two-ring structure, with a “Sustainable Ring” consisting of five processes in the value chain and a “Data Ring” linking big data collected from each process. We aim to provide new value by sharing / using data between the two rings. By using data obtained from this joint research in the Material Development & Procurement process of TOWANOWA, we promote the development of more sophisticated, higher-quality tires. Through TOWANOWA, the Sumitomo Rubber Group will further accelerate our efforts to promote and practice ESG Management and contribute to the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050 and the development of a sustainable society.

*1 One of the world’s largest scientific communities that comprises specialists in the chemical field. Established in 1848, the Society carries out various activities including publication of research findings, the promotion of education, and career support.  https://www.acs.org/

*2 One of the major polymer research institutes located in Dresden, Germany. Founded in 1948, the Institute pursues the basic and applied researches on the synthesis, characterization, theory, and processing of polymers. https://www.ipfdd.de/en/home/

*3 Introducing a Circular Economy Concept for the Tire Industry: TOWANOWA | Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.