You probably don’t give much thought to how your tires are made, but the process is actually quite fascinating.
In general, tires are made from flexible, strong rubber that attaches to the rim of your wheel. Its purpose is to offer a textured gripping surface for traction, serving as a kind of cushion for the wheels of your car. Tires are the first and only contact your car has with the road, making it easier to steer, brake, turn and accelerate.
A Bit of History
The first vulcanized rubber pneumatic tire was invented in 1845 by Robert William Thomson. However, it was too expensive to produce on a mass basis and never made it beyond the invention stage. Then the 1880s came around and John Boyd Dunlop invented the first inflatable tire for bicycles. Many years later, André Michelin and Edouard, his brother, created the first pneumatic tires for use on an automobile. However, they were not durable enough.
Then, in 1911, Philip Strauss invented the tire and air-filled inner tube combination that could be used on motor vehicles successfully.
The Tire Making Process
Raw Materials
The main ingredients used in the production of tires include natural and synthetic rubber. The raw rubber is made by mixing liquid latex with acids that solidify the rubber. Excess water is taken out of the rubber, forming sheets that are placed into bales after being dried and pressed. Synthetic rubber is made from polymers in crude oil. Other main ingredients include reinforcement cables, carbon black, silica, and sulfur.
Design
There are four basic components in tires:
- Beads
- Body
- Sidewalls
- Tread
Many tires can be customized according to the specifications and performance needs of the car, meaning they can be optimized for varying conditions. First, a tire prototype is created, which is rigorously tested. It must pass inspections for safety, durability and performance before mass production can begin.
Manufacture
The raw materials are mixed in a regulated batch of black material, overseen by a computer to ensure standardization. The compounded materials are then used to make other tire components such as sidewalls and treads. Assembly follows.
The technician wraps the rubber-covered fabric around the machine drum. Beads are added and the edges are shaped. The extruded rubber layers are glued to the sidewalls and tread, then the tire is placed into a mold for curing. Once it is inspected and tested, it is distributed.
Your tires are arguably the most important part of your car. Your very safety is riding on their effectiveness. Did you know that more than 250 million new tires are made every year? Make sure the ones on your vehicle are of the highest quality to prevent unfortunate accidents or costly replacements.
Contact I&I Tires
Looking for new tires? We can tell you all about our complete inventory as well as our mobile tire services when you contact us. We are located in Atlanta and can be reached at 678-284-2006 or Smyrna at 404-920-0278, so schedule an appointment today!