Tires are an important element for ensuring your safety. The tire surface exposed to the road is where all vehicle activities take place: braking, traction, steering control, and absorbing road shocks. Have you ever wondered “how are tires made?” and “what are the parts of a tire?” Although it looks like simple rubber, it contains many detailed parts that every driver should know. Today, we will help readers learn all about tires!
How are tires made?
What are tires made of? It will be surprising to know that there are over 200 different components in a tire. These components play an important role in safety, fuel economy, operational performance, and environmental friendliness.
These components are divided into five groups:
- Natural rubber: is the main component of the tread layers
- Synthetic rubber: Serves as a component of the tire’s running surface.
- Carbon black and silica: used as reinforcing agents to improve tire durability
- Reinforced cord with fabric and steel wire: This is the “bone” of the tire, shaping and providing rigidity to the tire.
- Many chemical agents: offer unique characteristics such as low rolling resistance or extreme traction
Production Process
Today, many types of tires are designed according to specific standards (race cars, all-terrain) or specific requirements from each car manufacturer.
In car production, tire manufacturing also starts with computer simulation, converting information about the vehicle’s size, quality, and special needs to the computer, then calculating and choosing appropriate ingredients and designs.
Steps in tire manufacturing:
The production process begins with selecting rubber as the main raw material and other auxiliary materials. Specifically, tires are typically made from 19% natural rubber (from rubber trees cultivated in Southeast Asia), 38% synthetic rubber (butadiene, styrene, halobutyl rubber), and additives to prevent the effects of ozone and oxygen and help accelerate the vulcanization process.
Additionally, 4% synthetic polymer fabric belt (nylon, rayon, and aramid) for reinforcement, 12% steel wire (polycarbonate steel) for additional reinforcement, and 26% filler (carbon black, silicon oxide).
The materials are mixed by an industrial mixer to form a black compound with properties of rubber glue and asphalt. This mixture is controlled by computers to ensure uniformity, then the compound is transferred to different specific machines to create the appropriate shape before assembling them all together. The mixed materials are then sent to specialized machines to manufacture the tire components, before assembling them to form the finished tire.
The industrial machine rolls the layers together, the first is the inner liner, which is made of rubber and completely airtight. The inner liner is very resistant and prevents the diffusion of air and moisture. When inflating the tire, the compression inside the tire is extremely important. Next come the ply and bead layers. Finally, the sidewall and tread layer are added.
The last and most important step is to press the layers with a mold to the dimensions desired by the manufacturer. At a temperature of about 300 degrees Celsius, the melted layers will bond tightly together, forming the outermost layer into the tread pattern that the manufacturer wants.
Learn more about the parts of a tire
Do you wonder how car tires are structured to create such durability? Many different parts are combined to make a perfect tire. We will tell you about the names of car tire parts and the characteristics of each part:
Beads
Is a metal bar under a thin layer of rubber that helps the tire stick to the wheel rim, prevents the tire from slipping out of position when the wheel rolls, and limits air leakage when inflating the tire. The air pressure in the tire pushes the beads against the rim and keeps them in place. The bead is protected from friction against the rim by a layer of hard rubber called the chafer.
Tread
A tire tread is the outer layer of rubber that protects the casing from abrasion and external damage caused by road surface impact. It is the part that is directly in contact with the road surface and generates frictional force to transmit power and braking force to the road surface. The tread design is made with many grooves to increase braking efficiency and power transmission. The denser the tread density, the better the traction and resistance. In particular, manufacturers always mark the tire wear indicator on each tire so that users can easily observe and know when to replace a new tire.
Tire Ply
The plies are the framework of the tire. It must be rigid enough to hold under high pressure, but also flexible enough to absorb vibrations. The tire ply consists of several layers of tire cords interspersed with rubber. The main function of the body plies is to provide strength and resistance to road surfaces.
Steel plies are used when trucks often travel long distances, have a stable and flat road surface structure due to better wear and heat resistance, and a smoother driving feel.
The nylon tire is used on rough roads, it also resists external forces better than radial tires, so it is suitable for roads with many obstacles and potholes due to their better ability to withstand collisions.
Belt Piles
The belt piles consist of two or more layers of strong cord under the tread. The main function is to provide strength and stability to the tread. They play a role in improving impact resistance and grip. Steel is the most commonly used cord material in belts.
Sidewall
Area of the tire from the bead to the tread on the side of the tire and serves to protect the tire. The sidewall is a place to display many important parameters of a car tire, helping users distinguish manufacturers as well as choose technical parameters suitable for their needs.
Inner Liner
The inner liner is the innermost layer of a tire that starts on the inside. It is a compound bonded to the cord body. Even under pressure, this rubber compound will retain air and function as an inner tube. The inner liner will help maintain tire pressure, help you save fuel, and improve tire lifespan.
Tire Carcass
The layer under the tread is the tire carcass. Basically, the carcass is the foundation on which the tread rests. The carcass is made of cords that cross from one side of the tire to the other. The carcass will provide cushioning and contain air allowing the tire to function properly. Did you know that the cost of the tire carcass accounts for about 75% of the total cost of a tire? We believe it will be one of the most important parts of car tires.
Tire Valve Stems
In your opinion, what is the role of car tire valves? A small valve that plays an important role in the operation of tires and cars. The valve stems are made of metal and rubber. A valve consists of 3 parts: the body, the valve cap, and the core. It ensures that the car maintains constant tire pressure according to manufacturer standards and helps tires stay dry as any moisture entering the tires is prevented. Additionally, the valve cap has a particularly important role in helping to prevent dust from clogging the valve. A high-quality valve cap is recommended. Remember to screw the valve cap back on as soon as tire pressure is measured.
Final Words
Along with the development of cars, tires are always being developed to improve car performance and ensure user safety. Tires are not just inflatable rubber blocks, they are also equipped with many advanced technologies. And they must go through a very rigorous production process before reaching the user. Each type of tire is designed for each type of vehicle and adapts to different usage conditions. All properties depend on “how are tires made?”. We believe that when you know more about the construction, some parts of a tire will help you use the tire better. That’s why this article was published!