Tire materials testing for harsh environments

Modern automobile tires are composed of technologically advanced materials and systems engineered to provide a combination of properties optimized for the full range of a tire’s operating conditions. Optimizing the properties involves compromise because an adjustment to the mechanical properties that improves some characteristics often comes at the expense of others. The tread compound’s mechanical properties also depend strongly on temperature, ensuring that the tire will perform properly only over a certain limited temperature range. This application note details a study carried out by Bruker Nano where the glass transition temperature and mechanical behavior of a winter tire tread was measured over its entire operating range, from –60°C to 40°C.