Autonomous Delivery Robots: Durable Rubber Tires for Urban Terrain Navigation.

Problem Statement

Autonomous delivery robots require tires that withstand urban terrain challenges: abrasive surfaces, temperature fluctuations (-20°C to 60°C), and exposure to oils, water, and detergents. Standard EPDM tires fail due to poor oil resistance, while NBR tires degrade in UV exposure.

Material Science Analysis

EPDM lacks polar groups, making it susceptible to oil swelling. NBR’s nitrile content provides oil resistance but suffers from UV degradation due to unsaturated double bonds. HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) combines oil resistance with UV stability. Its saturated backbone reduces oxidative degradation, while hydrogenation improves thermal stability.

Technical Specs

Material: HNBR
Shore A Hardness: 70 ± 5
Tensile Strength: 25 MPa
Elongation at Break: 300%
Temperature Range: -30°C to 150°C
Compression Set: 15% (22 hours at 100°C)
Chemical Resistance: Excellent against oils, detergents, and UV exposure.

Material Comparison

Parameter	HNBR	EPDM	NBR
Shore A Hardness	70 ± 5	65 ± 5	75 ± 5
Tensile Strength (MPa)	25	18	22
Elongation at Break (%)	300	350	250
Temperature Range (°C)	-30 to 150	-40 to 120	-20 to 100
Compression Set (%)	15	20	25
Oil Resistance	Excellent	Poor	Good
UV Resistance	Excellent	Good	Poor

Standard Compliance

RubberQ’s IATF 16949-certified process ensures batch-to-batch consistency. HNBR formulations comply with ASTM D2000 for material callouts and ISO 3601 for sealing performance. Adhesion testing follows ASTM D429 for rubber-to-metal bonding integrity.

CTA

For custom material compound development or IATF 16949 documentation, consult RubberQ’s engineering department.

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