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GETTING A GRIP GETS BETTER, THANKS TO GOODYEAR AND GE
09 March 2006 - AZDEL
| Two of the most respected names in American manufacturing and technical leadership have combined forces, bringing to light an innovation to an everyday product, with an intention to deliver peace of mind to consumers as they travel in any weather condition. |
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and General Electric, specifically, GE Advanced Materials, Silicones, teamed up for breakthrough technology in new auto tires from the world's largest tire manufacturer. A unique new tire, Goodyear's Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology, is the result of this technology.
The TripleTred tire possesses so much advanced technology that it goes beyond all-weather capability, to an area Goodyear calls "ANY weather conditions" performance. The tire does this by incorporating three unique tread zones for superior traction in any kind of weather.
Scientists at GE's Tarrytown, NY labs developed a coupling agent (liquid chemical) named NXT silane, which is an essential ingredient of the high-tech rubber compounds in the TripleTred.
"It sounds extremely high-tech, and it is," said David Benko, Goodyear's director of global materials R&D. "But, in effect, the recipe that we formulated with GE's assistance enables us to mix together some advanced chemicals and technologies, which converts into a smoother manufacturing process."
Designing tire compounds is a complex exercise in science and physics. Much more is found in a tire than rubber, steel, and polyester. Other ingredients might include carbon black for filler, and many different varieties of chemicals, oils, pigments, and waxes.
Over the past 10 years, tire manufacturers have been adding silica to the carbon black filler material for added traction and improved rolling resistance. The addition of silica translates into lower fuel consumption due to lower rolling resistance when the tire meets the road. In the case of the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred tire, NXT silane improves the rate and ease with which the silica mixes into rubber.
"GE developed NXT silane to enhance silica dispersion," said GE's Rick Cruse, research scientist. "Simultaneously, NXT silane provides coupling action with easy processing. With NXT silane, silica compounds can be mixed hot, hard, and fast in a single step, instead of long, slow, step-by-step mixing at low temperatures."
For Goodyear, the new Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology is the culmination of decades of research into the design, engineering, and physics of all-weather tire technology.
An interlocking tread pattern creates an Ice Zone on the TripleTred, which translates into more gripping power on icy or snow-covered roads.
A Dry Zone feature is enhanced by reinforced tire shoulders for confident maneuvering around curves, potholes and unexpected road debris on dry pavement.
A unique Water Zone, consisting of deeply carved Aquachutes, is a key to the new tire's wet handling performance. These Aquachutes propel water away from the tire's tread to assure more tire contact with the road when the surface is rain-drenched.
"As we engineer our tires to deliver improved all-around performance, no matter the weather conditions, we are challenged with making the many different elements work together. In the case of Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology, our work with GE helps to achieve that balance," Benko said.
http://www.ge.com
About: AZDEL
AZDEL, Inc. is a joint venture of GE Advanced Materials and PPG Industries. The AZDEL business was established in 1972 by PPG, and the 50/50 joint venture was set up with GE in 1986. AZDEL is a global leader in the manufacture and supply of high-performance composite materials serving a wide variety of markets and industries including automotive, transportation interiors, large truck, materials handling, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and building and construction. * AZDEL and VolcaLite are trademarks of AZDEL, Inc., a 50/50 joint venture of General Electric Company and PPG Industries. |
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