The Use of Design of Experiments and Statistical Analysis in Rubber Compounding: The Case Study of Tyre Tread Compound Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

The impact of three important formulation factors on a number of key rubber compound properties of a tyre tread formulation was studied using response surface methodology and central composite design of experiments. Abrasion, dematia crack growth, hardness and tear force of rubber compounds were well modeled and statistically validated. The developed models were successfully employed for recognizing behaviors, studying the governed mechanisms and optimization. It has been shown that response surface methodology is an efficient approach for rubber compounding studies.