Precipitated Silica Products for High-Performance Tire Formulations
In the 1930s, we introduced the first reinforcing fillers formulated from precipitated silica. Since that time, we have worked hand-in-hand with global tire makers – not just to advance and refine the sciences of rubber-making and tire-making – but to fulfill the demands of tire manufacturers for virtually every type of vehicle, from passenger cars and motorcycles, to trucks and heavy-duty equipment.
Today, through our PPG AGILON® performance silica and PPG HI-SIL® silica product lines, we are more engaged than ever in the mission we share with our customers, which is to challenge the limits of the industry’s “magic triangle,” by designing and manufacturing silica products that contribute to production of the safest, longest-lasting and most fuel-efficient tires possible.
PPG Agilon Performance Silica Products
The most recent culmination of our commitment to the tire industry is the breakthrough development of
Agilon performance silica. Based on a revolutionary platform of chemically modified precipitated silica, these patented materials are engineered to help customers extend the tire industry’s "magic triangle" by lowering rolling resistance for improved vehicle fuel economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing traction for improved safety and handling, especially in wet, snowy, or icy conditions, and improving wear resistance compared to traditional in-situ silica + silane mixing.
Agilon performance silica also helps the industry address the productivity and environmental challenges associated with manufacturing high-value tires that require silica-filled treads. By enabling a simpler, more efficient mixing process, Agilon performance silica reduces manufacturing complexity and capital investment by increasing mixing throughput, reducing energy consumption, and eliminating essentially all alcohol-related VOC emissions that result from the conventional silica/silane mixing process. Additional benefits of Agilon performance silica include:
- High-temperature mixing without increased viscosity or premature vulcanization
- Elimination of porosity-related extrusion inefficiencies
- Extended shelf life for uncured rubber
- Improved coupling in natural rubber applications
- Lower temperature mixing to avoid natural rubber degradation
Agilon Performance Silica
| Product |
Dispers-ibility |
Rein-forcing
Capability |
CTAB
Surface
Area
(m2/g) |
N2 (BET-5)
Surface
Area
(m2/g) |
SH,
Weight % |
Carbon,
Weight % |
pH |
Residual
Salt
Type |
Physical
Form |
| Agilon 400G |
High |
High |
140 |
75 |
0.5 |
4.0 |
6.5 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Agilon 454G |
High |
High |
200 |
140 |
0.5 |
4.0 |
6.5 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Agilon 458G |
High |
High |
200 |
115 |
0.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
Agilon Performance Silica Literature
Agilon 400 Performance Silica Technical Data Sheet
Agilon Performance Silica for Tire Overview
Agilon 454 Performance Silica for Truck Tires
Hi-Sil Silica Products
When they were introduced in the 1970s,
Hi-Sil silica products were among the first to be used in tire applications, primarily for rubber reinforcement.
Since those developments nearly 50 years ago, tire manufacturers have consistently relied on PPG to push the boundaries of quality and innovation. While silica remains critical for rubber reinforcement, the newest generation of classical and highly dispersible
Hi-Sil silica materials is helping to redefine the tire industry’s "magic triangle".
From low-surface-area materials for improved winter tire traction and hysteretic properties in non-tread applications, to high-surface-area materials for improved treadwear and uncompromised rolling resistance, PPG works incessantly with tire formulators around the world to develop new
Hi-Sil silica materials that meet their specific production and performance requirements.
Typically used in combination with silane coupling agents, these proven, popular tire additives:
- Improve wet traction and fuel efficiency, balancing wear resistance
- Enhance cut-, chip-, chunk-, tear- and cut-growth resistance
- Promote adhesion to brass-coated wire and fabric cord
- Enhance stiffness in the bead area and other non-tread applications
Hi-Sil Reinforcing Silica - North America
| Product |
Dispersibility |
Reinforcing
Capability |
CTAB
Surface
Area
(m2/g) |
N2
(BET-5)
Surface
Area
(m2/g) |
pH |
Residual
Salt
Type |
Physical
Form |
| Hi-Sil EZ120G |
High |
Medium |
125 |
125 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil EZ160G |
High |
High |
160 |
160 |
6.5 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil HDP320G |
High |
High |
160 |
160 |
6.5 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil 190G |
High |
High |
170 |
195 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil EZ200G |
High |
High |
200 |
300 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil 210 |
Classical |
Medium |
N/A |
135 |
7.0 |
NaCl |
Pellet |
| Hi-Sil 243LD |
Classical |
Medium |
N/A |
135 |
7.0 |
NaCl |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil 134G |
Classical |
High |
160 |
180 |
6.3 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
Hi-Sil Reinforcing Silica – Europe
| Product |
Dispersibility |
Reinforcing
Capability |
CTAB
Surface
Area
(m2/g) |
N2
(BET-5)
Surface
Area
(m2/g) |
pH |
Residual
Salt
Type |
Physical
Form |
| Hi-Sil EZ120G-D |
High |
Medium |
125 |
125 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil EZ160G-D |
High |
High |
160 |
160 |
6.5 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil 190G-D |
High |
High |
170 |
195 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil EZ200G-D |
High |
High |
200 |
300 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil 315G-D |
Classical |
Medium |
125 |
125 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil 255CG-D |
Classical |
High |
167 |
175 |
6.3 |
Na2SO4 |
Granule |
| Hi-Sil EZ80G-D |
High |
Low |
80 |
80 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Micro-Granule |
| Hi-Sil EZ90G-D |
High |
Low |
90 |
90 |
7.0 |
Na2SO4 |
Micro-Granule |
|
Silene 732
|
HIgh |
Low |
33 |
33 |
8.5 |
Na2SO4 |
Powder |
Hi-Sil Silica Literature
Hi-Sil 134G Silica
Hi-Sil 190G & Hi-Sil 190G-M Silica
Hi-Sil 255CG-D Silica
Hi-Sil HDP-320G Silica
Hi-Sil EZ160G-D Silica brochure
Hi-Sil EZ200G Silica brochure
Hi-Sil EZ80G-D
Hi-Sil EZ90G-D
Agilon and Hi-Sil are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.