What changes in practice
This approach has two important effects that reinforce each other.
- First, the adhesion interface becomes more stable, particularly under demanding conditions. As temperature and moisture increase (which is typical in OTR environments) the interface becomes the critical driver of performance. TAWI® is designed to maintain its durability under these conditions, where traditional systems tend to degrade.
- Second, by minimizing or removing cobalt from the compound, the ageing of the rubber itself is reduced. Slower degradation of the compound means its mechanical properties remain more stable over time, supporting more consistent overall performance.
Together, this creates a system where both the interface and the compound contribute to durability, instead of working against each other. The result is a more robust system in real‑world operations.
Validation through laboratory testing
The performance of TAWI® has been validated under controlled laboratory conditions simulating severe ageing environments.
The results show a clear and consistent trend. While initial adhesion levels are comparable to conventional systems, the difference becomes visible once the system is exposed to ageing conditions.
Under heat ageing, performance remains broadly similar. However, under combined humidity and steam ageing, a much stronger differentiation emerges. In these conditions, conventional systems show a significant drop in adhesion, while TAWI® maintains a substantially higher level of performance.
Quantitatively, adhesion retention with TAWI® can be several times higher under humid–heat conditions, reflecting a much more stable interface over time. This behavior has been observed consistently across a broad set of laboratory evaluations, covering more than ten TAWI® configurations in cobalt-free compounds.
Overall, the data confirms that engineering adhesion at the interface enables not only comparable starting performance, but, more importantly, significantly improved stability throughout ageing, particularly in the most demanding operating environments.
Advancing with industry partners
TAWI® is already moving beyond laboratory validation.
The solution is currently under development with multiple tire manufacturers, completing initial evaluations with a positive assessment of the technology.
This ongoing development reflects a broader industry focus: improving long-term adhesion stability as a key lever for OTR tire durability.
Discover TAWI® for OTR
TAWI® is part of Bekaert’s continuous innovation in tire reinforcement, supporting customers in addressing key durability challenges in OTR applications.
Interested in exploring the impact on your applications?
Reach out to:
- discuss your application context
- explore collaboration opportunities
- understand available laboratory validation insights
