In light of the increasing demand for improved thermal performance within the tire industry, research on thermally conductive rubber composites has become a significant focus of interest. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the most recent research findings on thermally conductive rubber composites, specifically for tire heat-dissipation applications. First, the thermal-conductivity mechanism of rubber-based composites is elaborated in detail, and the influencing factors of heat dissipation and thermal conductivity in tire rubber are systematically analyzed. The role of various thermally conductive fillers in tire heat dissipation and their applications is highlighted, and the thermal conductivities of these fillers and their effects in practical tire applications are compared. In addition, the distribution of fillers is optimized by combining experimental studies with simulation methods (e.g., molecular dynamics simulation) to provide a scientific basis for tire design. Finally, this paper summarizes the main challenges currently faced by rubber composites in tire applications, including material costs, filler and matrix dispersion, and thermal resistance. It also proposes the potential future development direction of thermally conductive rubber composites in tire applications.
Wang et al. (2025) studied this question.