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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.