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ExxonMobil’s R&D engineers are testing films made from butyl rubber and nylon blends, which are to be used as air-tight layers in tires. Tires made from this material are lighter, more durable, and maintain their tire pressure for longer than other tires. Proper tire pressure is crucial for tire safety. Studies show that in the United States, over 25% of tires are often underinflated, a condition that not only leads to fuel waste but also poses safety risks. Low tire pressure leads to accelerated tire wear, increased fuel consumption, more heat generation, and can also cause tire blowouts while driving, making them more dangerous than tires with normal pressure. Only when the tire pressure is normal can it function as designed, providing the driver with the necessary traction and steering control. Therefore, drivers should regularly check tire pressure and tread wear on a monthly basis. The correct tire pressure is provided by the car manufacturer; in the United States, this information is usually printed on a card and attached to the door jamb of the driver’s side door. A lightweight yet durable airtight layer: Over the past few years, ExxonMobil’s scientists have developed a breakthrough new type of synthetic rubber, namely the specialty elastomer known as Exxpro. This material can be dynamically blended with nylon to form a unique alloy that possesses both flexibility and rubber-like elasticity, as well as low air permeability. ExxonMobil and Japan’s Yokohama Tire Company jointly developed this new product, named Exxpro Nylon DVA. Over the years, the two companies have been researching this new type of elastomeric alloy material and its application in tubeless tires. Currently, some tire manufacturers are testing this new material and evaluating its use in their respective product lines. This new product is a blend of synthetic rubber and nylon, which can be used to produce tires that are lighter and more durable. Compared to traditional tires, this type of tire can maintain an appropriate tire pressure for a longer period of time. These features enable the vehicle to save fuel, thereby reducing emissions. “This new material performs excellently in many aspects,” said Howe-Yong Hong, Marketing Manager for Butyl Rubber at ExxonMobil Chemicals. “Currently, the halogenated butyl rubber gas barrier layer in most passenger car tires is about 0.8 mm thick and weighs around 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram). Our new material can replace this design, making the airtight layer thin and light, just like a plastic bag. The new airtight layer can reduce weight by nearly 80% and performs better in preventing air leakage. ” “According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the United States alone wastes about 1.2 billion gallons of fuel each year due to underinflated tires,” said Mike Brownlow, Sales and Marketing Manager for ExxonMobil Chemical’s butyl rubber division. “Consumers who check their tire pressure more frequently will help reduce fuel consumption – it is recommended to do this at least once a month.” Of course, no matter how frequently you check the tire pressure, tires with better airtightness are less likely to experience low pressure on average, which can help save fuel. ” Increasing yield while saving energy – Producing isobutyl synthetic rubber is a complex and energy-intensive manufacturing process. Butyl rubber and Exxpro specialty elastomers must be produced in extremely low-temperature environments, as low as -150°F (-101°C). A large amount of energy is required to achieve such low temperatures. However, this situation has changed recently. “ExxonMobil’s research and technology teams have developed amazing new processes that allow us to produce butyl rubber and Exxpro specialty elastomers in environments with significantly higher temperatures,” said Brownlow. “This is a major breakthrough; it is likely the most significant advancement in the field of butyl rubber in over 50 years. It enables us to greatly increase production capacity through technological improvements.” So, we can increase production while saving energy and reducing costs. ” Reference URL: http://guide.ppsj.com.cn/art/1026/aksmxxxjtgltqmx/