AbstractExperimental ethylene–propylene–1,4‐hexadiene polymers covering a range of compositions which possess satisfactory processing characteristics and economics have been evaluated in passenger car tires with emphasis on groove cracking. The tearing energy criterion was used in a laboratory test to correctly predict the groove cracking behavior of the tires made from these polymers. Road tests indicate that ethylene–propylene–1,4‐hexadiene tripolymers containing 36–42 propylene and 1.8–2.2 diene exhibit resistance to cut growth and abrasion which is superior to standard SBR–BR bias tires. Polymers containing more than 42 propylene or 2.2 diene were inferior in wear and resistance to groove cracking, but sufficient data are not available to pi
展开▼
