Performance Comparison of Tread Compounds With Different NR and SSBR Ratios Filled With Silica: Finite Element Analysis‐Based Modeling and Validation

Coordinated control of composite materials is a crucial academic and engineering issue. Natural rubber (NR) exhibits excellent physical and mechanical properties, while solution‐polymerized styrene‐butadiene rubber (SSBR) has distinct advantages in wet grip and heat build‐up. To clarify the relationship between material properties after the blending of NR and SSBR, this study prepared silica‐filled tread rubber samples with NR/SSBR ratios of 100/0, 80/20, 60/40, 40/60, 20/80, and 0/100. Vulcanization characteristics, crosslink density, Payne effect, static mechanical properties, and dynamic viscoelastic properties of the samples with different ratios were systematically tested. Based on the experimental data, finite element constitutive modeling was conducted to compare the fitting accuracy of hyperelastic models, including Mooney‐Rivlin, Neo‐Hookean, Yeoh, and Ogden ( N = 1, 2, 3). The results show that the Ogden model ( N = 3) has the optimal goodness of fit, and its finite element analysis results are highly consistent with the uniaxial tensile experimental data ( R 2 = 99.84%). Meanwhile, the fracture strength of the composite is strongly correlated with the maximum principal stress, providing a reliable criterion for judging material failure. With the increase in the SSBR ratio, the crosslink density of the samples increases significantly, the Payne effect weakens, and the wet skid resistance improves. When the NR/SSBR ratio is 80/20, rolling resistance is minimized, and the comprehensive performance is optimal. This study provides an optimal coordinated control scheme for the design of personalized high‐performance tire tread rubber.