Composite Material for Automotive Tires. Construction, Manufacturing, Properties, Testing, Degradation, Recycling

Project Report from the year 2016 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: 4.0, The American University in Cairo, language: English, abstract: Tires are critical components of the vehicles on which they are used. They are used on automobiles, trucks, buses, farm tractors, earth-moving equipment, military vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, and aircraft. Tires support the weight of the vehicle and the passengers and cargo on board; they transmit the motor torque to propel the vehicle (except on aircraft); and they absorb vibrations and shock to provide a comfortable ride. A tire is a textile/rubber composite. The tire composite is in the form of a network of textile cord structures arranged in a parallel configuration and imbedded in a rubber matrix. Rubber defined as an elastomer compounded with various fillers and chemical ingredients . Most rubber compounds are thermosets, and they are turned into finished molded parts by compression, transfer or injection molding. The tire is made up of numerous different rubber compounds, many different types of carbon black, fillers like clay and silica, and chemicals & minerals added to allow or accelerate vulcanization. The tires also have several types of fabric for reinforcement and several kinds and sizes of steel. Some of the steel is twisted or braided into strong cables.