The True Reason Why Vehicle Tires Are Very Black

Quite valid reasons for the color of the tires, but it’s not just the color, black tires have more functions.

According to Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone, this was not always the case. Car tires used to be white, but the addition of black carbon has become the standard because the tire with it becomes more resistant to external influences and lasts longer, reports N1 Zagreb.

Carbon black is almost (97 percent) pure carbon. It occurs during the process of incomplete combustion, that is, when there is not enough oxygen to produce the usual combustion products (water and carbon dioxide) of oil derivatives under controlled conditions.

It looks like small black balls or a fine black powder and can be added to rubber, plastic, and printing ink. According to the International Carbon Black Association, about 8.1 million metric tons of this substance are produced each year.

By adding carbon black, manufacturers can make tires more resistant to heat and wear and generally stiffer. The material also protects the rubber from UV radiation and ozone, which can cause further deterioration, writes IFL Science.

According to Goodyear, tires without carbon black probably wouldn’t even last 5,000 miles, which would mean most drivers would have to replace tires once or twice a year.

The inclusion of carbon black also makes the rubber compounds in tires more electrically conductive. This allows for the discharge of static charge that could otherwise build up and cause an electric shock.

The aesthetic benefit of adding carbon black is that it helps the tires look cleaner—or, more accurately, hides the discoloration and grime the tires can pick up on the road.

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