How are tyres made?
- April 25, 2020
- Posted by: Tyre Assist
- Category: Uncategorized
It’s quite understandable that we often overlook the significance of our tires. We learned a lot about tyres since the first pneumatic tyre was invented by John Dunlop in 1888.
Now, we are committed to inspiring vehicle owners and drivers to regularly inspect their tires and treads or seek assistance from our extensive network. What’s truly remarkable is that tires are comprised of a multitude of elements, that exceed well over a hundred components, which encompass a wide array of materials, from textiles to steel cables, and a diverse range of rubbers and chemical compounds, all meticulously chosen to bestow specific properties to different parts of the tire. It’s a testament to the intricacy and engineering that goes into creating this essential component of your vehicle.
While many people are aware that tires are primarily composed of rubber, the truth is that they are an intricate amalgamation of various raw materials. In fact, tire components encompass a blend of natural and synthetic rubber, carbon black, silica, a multitude of chemical additives, antioxidants, curing systems, and reinforcement cables made from textiles and other materials. Each of these components plays a crucial part in enhancing the tire’s strength, longevity, and road performance.
To provide some perspective, Michelin, a renowned tire manufacturer, reveals that there are more than two hundred distinct ingredients in a typical tire, all of which are carefully chosen to influence their performance, safety, and efficiency. While rubber serves as the primary material, it is the harmonious combination of these diverse raw materials that culminates in the creation of a fully functional tire. This complexity showcases the tire industry’s dedication to delivering top-notch products that ensure safety and reliability on the road.
That’s a lot that can go wrong or wear out but also a lot of learning over the past 135 years since the first pneumatic tyre was invented by John Dunlop.
What do tyres consist of?
- Synthetic polymers
main synthetic rubber polymers used in tyre manufacturing are butadiene rubber and styrene butadiene rubber, making up 24% of the tyre and are used in combination with natural rubber. Physical and chemical properties of these polymers determine the overall tyre performance such as rolling resistance and wear and traction. - Fillers
carbon black and silica are fillers that reinforce the rubber, and also give the tyre its dark colour. Fillers improve properties such as tear, tensile strength and abrasion. Using silica also improves rolling resistance.
- Steel wires
used in the tyre belts and beads. Belts under the tread serve to improve wear performance and the handling of the tyre by stiffening the tyre casing. The bead wire locks the tyre onto the wheel. - Textiles
various types of fabric cords that reinforce the tyre. These are mainly fabrics such as: polyester cord, rayon cord, nylon cord, and aramid cord. They provide dimensional stability and help support the vehicle weight.
Tyres are 'cured'
In the tire production process, a crucial step is curing, where the tire assumes its ultimate shape. Manufacturers employ specific chemicals like sulfur and zinc oxide to facilitate the transformation of rubber into a durable, solid compound. Additionally, tires undergo treatment with a variety of chemical agents, including the intriguingly named “antiozonants” and “antioxidants”.
Antioxidants help to keep the rubber from breaking down due to the effect of temperature and oxygen exposure. Antiozonants impede the effects of exposure to ozone on the surface of the tyre antiozonants are used. These chemical compounds serve a vital purpose by safeguarding the tires against the potential deteriorating effects of exposure to the ozone layer
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