Construction :
Every time you get in the car, you essentially place your life and the lives of people you care about in the hands of tire engineers and manufacturers. Thanks to constantly advancing technologies, reliable materials and high-end machinery, you can rest soundly in the knowledge that your tires were created specifically to provide safe, effective performance mile after mile. Each tire is subject to stringent quality testing to ensure they comply with the most rigid standards and requirements. Once assembled, tires must pass through a series of tests including visual inspections and x-rays. If a tire is found wanting for any reason at all, it is immediately rejected and sent to the scrap heap. Learn about some of the components, materials and construction techniques that go into making tires that keep you safe on the road.
Components
Tires today represent a complex assembly of components that are tweaked, modified and fine-tuned to provide the unique characteristics you can find in each type and size of tire available. Starting with the body, or carcass, of the tire, are several layers, or plies, of rubberized fabric that provide the foundation for the rest of the unit. A rubber liner is placed on the underside of the body plies and its main function is to maintain air pressure by preventing air from escaping. The beads, which are placed on each edge of the tire, are rings constructed from heavy-duty steel wire that has been fused together with a rubber compound and surrounded by fabric. The beads are solely responsible for maintaining the connection between the tire and the rim of the wheel. Steel-belted tires have the added reinforcement of steel belts that run parallel to the tread providing extra support and stability. The body plies are attached to the bead and are then covered over by any other reinforcing layers and surrounded by the sidewalls and tire tread. The tread is the portion of the tire that touches the road as the wheel rotates. Treads are a little like fingerprints in that each model is created to be slightly different from other models. They can be optimized to achieve different effects, such as higher speeds of operation, better winter road handling and improved traction on wet surfaces.
- Body plies are made from a number of rubber-infused fabric layers and attach to the bead at each edge of the tire
- The bead is constructed with enough strength to maintain the contact between the tire and the wheel rim
- Treads consist of various ribs, grooves, blocks and sipes framed on each side by a shoulder
- Sidewalls provide an external coating layer designed to protect against punctures, cuts, scrapes, cracking and other damage
Materials
While early tires were made entirely from natural rubber, modern units are constructed from a variety of natural and synthetic rubber compounds. Rubber compounds are used in the creation of a number of different tire components, including the body plies, beads, tread, liner and others. Each of those elements requires a different formulation that will provide the right blend of strength and flexibility that can withstand the high speeds and constant use tires are subjected to. Compounds can be optimized to achieve different effects. For example, a winter tire needs to remain pliable even in extreme cold, so the rubber compounds are formulated to be a little softer, therefore improving braking, traction and handling in cold temperatures. Likewise, for off-road tires, the compounds must be more resistant to tears and punctures and are therefore combined in such a way as to be much more rigid. Steel is also used in various components and formats, including wire, fabric and flexible belts. This provides reinforcement and strength in strategic locations.
- Most tires contain a combination of natural and synthetic rubber compounds in various formulations
- Fabrics used in tire construction include polyester, nylon, rayon, steel and many others
Radial Construction
Because of its superior performance and safety record, radial construction of tires has been the industry standard for the last several decades. Prior to the invention of radial tires, they were created using what was called bias-ply construction. Instead of running the body plies perpendicular to the bead, as is the case with radial tires, bias tires featured plies wrapped at an angle to the bead and one another. This created a more rounded shape that didn't allow as much surface area to grip the pavement. Radial construction allows the tire to sit a little bit more flush with the road ensuring better traction, improved braking and even higher fuel efficiency, among other benefits.
- Radial tires feature body plies that are wrapped perpendicular to the tire bead
- All tires sold today utilize radial construction for improved traction, heat resistance, fuel efficiency, treadwear, ride comfort and more
- Steel-belted radials are tires that feature radial construction with steel belts wrapped around the body plies for extra strength and support
