Abstract
The abrasion of rubber on tracks without share pointed asperities is dominated by fatigue failure. This is demonstrated by the effect of certain antioxidants on the abrasion of natural rubber compounds in air, which largely disappears in nitrogen. The experimental results obtained in air can be obscured by smearing which seems to originate from the abrasion process itself. In addition, the relative humidity of the surrounding atmosphere has a great, and little-understood influence on the rate of abrasion. The bearing of these findings on the interpretation of road test results is discussed.