Analysis of Ice- and Snow Traction of Tread Material

The critical property of tire tread material for ice-skid resistance was analyzed. This skid resistance in the temperature range of 0 to −15°C is related to the compliance, not the hysteresis, of the tread material. Mechanistic analysis of the phenomena is presented in terms of the viscous resistance of a thin liquid-like layer on the surface of ice. The microscopic contact area and the wiping action of the tread material seem to be important factors for ice skid resistance. In a winter tire, the critical tread material property for traction on packed snow follows the same relationship.