Increasing friction of tread rubber under lubrication by adjusting groove shape to control fluid flow

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a high-friction tread design by utilizing fluid flow. Inclined-groove tread rubber specimens designed to generate negative fluid pressure were prepared and friction tests under glycerol lubrication were conducted. The results showed that the inclined-groove specimens generated negative fluid pressure and achieved a higher friction coefficient than did the rectangular-groove specimen. The results also indicated that a tread block with an inclined-groove shape with a small groove depth is desirable for achieving high adsorption force and friction, and for a given adsorption force, a tread block with a large convex plateau region is desirable. Our research showed that when the groove shape was controlled, the fluid flow could be adjusted to increase the tread rubber friction.