04-04-2020, 06:27 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-04-2020, 12:22 AM by Tony Press.)
I know Wikipedia is often questionable but-
“Carbon black [a fine manufactured soot] was added to the rubber compound in [circa 1917] and produced a tenfold increase in wear resistance.”
Another source notes carbon black was used in tyres during the first world war.
"The market for carbon black exploded after World War I. Until then zinc oxide reinforced the rubber in tires. When the production of brass for shell casings consumed the available zinc, chemists chanced on carbon black, which worked even better."
I would think that Austin Seven tyres would have been 'black' from quite early on
“Carbon black [a fine manufactured soot] was added to the rubber compound in [circa 1917] and produced a tenfold increase in wear resistance.”
Another source notes carbon black was used in tyres during the first world war.
"The market for carbon black exploded after World War I. Until then zinc oxide reinforced the rubber in tires. When the production of brass for shell casings consumed the available zinc, chemists chanced on carbon black, which worked even better."
I would think that Austin Seven tyres would have been 'black' from quite early on