Polymeric Film formation by adhesive wear in rubber–concrete contact is strongly influenced by the behavior of Styrene–Butadiene Rubber (SBR), the main polymer used in tire treads. Under rolling conditions, SBR exhibits viscoelastic deformation and interfacial adhesion that promote the progressive detachment and transfer of material. This process leads to the formation of a polymeric film on the concrete surface, composed of SBR fragments whose properties reflect the polymer’s molecular structure, degree of crosslinking, and thermal–mechanical history. The growth, distribution, and eventual detachment of this polymeric film provide key insights into the tribological response of SBR, linking fundamental polymer science with applied wear studies. Understanding these mechanisms is essential not only to optimize SBR formulations for improved performance but also to assess the environmental impact of polymeric residues generated by tire wear.

This work presents a tribological test bench consisting of a concrete drum that simulates real road surfaces, together with a tire under controlled load, speed, and pressure conditions. The system integrates a Mako U-029 high-speed camera synchronized with an encoder, enabling the analysis of the progressive adhesion of rubber to concrete. The images are processed in Python using libraries such as OpenCV, Scikit-learn, and TensorFlow, applying computer vision and machine learning techniques to quantify the percentage of adhesive wear. Detached particles are collected and characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate their morphology and composition.

The proposed methodology aims to establish a reproducible quantification method for adhesive wear that complements existing tire–pavement research. Its results may contribute to the optimization of polymeric compounds in tires, the development of preventive maintenance strategies, and the reduction of pollutant emissions. In this way, the project not only advances the tribological understanding of rubber–concrete contact but also provides an approach with environmental, industrial, and socioeconomic implications oriented toward sustainability. Preliminary findings suggest that this strategy offers valuable insights into the dynamics of polymer film formation, with potential implications for optimizing tire formulations, improving pavement interactions, and mitigating microplastic emissions.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation for the Master’s scholarship granted. I would also like to extend special thanks to Dr. Karlos Emmanuel Espinoza Ramos for his valuable guidance and contributions to the development of this research.