Toronto-based Canadian advanced materials company Gratomic Inc.'s latest research shows that the use of graphene (a single-layered honeycomb lattice of carbon atoms) in tread rubber can extend tire life by 30% and reduce rolling resistance by approximately a similar amount .
The company launched an 18-month development plan and compared the performance of graphene-reinforced tires with a well-known brand tire to reach the above conclusions.
According to Gratomic, adding graphene to rubber will change the shape of the rheology curve, which will affect the vulcanization chemistry and cause changes in the rubber mixture. The company also said that the use of graphene in the innerliner compound reduces breathability and also produces lighter tires.