A novel method to measure abrasion of solid tires

Peripheral velocity, floor surface, contact pressure and patch area, acceleration and deceleration, camber angle, turning and contact slip, and type of rubber compounds are key determinants of tire life. However, there is no accepted method to measure tire wear against the factors mentioned above. At present, tire life is determined through field tests. Other methods include the use of a drum-type apparatus with bonded abrasive paper or abrasive particles between the tire and the drum. The limitations of these methods include the time requirement and inaccuracies in data to enable accurate analysis of tire life. As a result, the tire manufacturers find it difficult to specify the tire life with adequate degree of certainty to the customers. This gives rise to the need for a standard method to assure the life of tires for the benefit of the customers and to conduct tests to help improve tire performance. The proposed apparatus has the facility to change the operating speed, surface and the load at which the tires are tested. The overall designed length, width and height of the machine are respectively 3,000 mm, 1,150 mm and 3,350 mm. Computer-based simulation results for design evaluation suggest that the stress and strain are within allowable limits under typical loading conditions. Prototype tests proved that wear of samples are in congruence with DIN 53516. It also proved that heat buildup is present when compared with drum test results. Construction and testing of the apparatus and calibration of it are proposed as future work.