We cover a lot of information about the outside of the tyre, but what about the inside? That’s what we’ve dedicated this tyre construction page to: understanding how your tyre is built and everything that goes inside of it. There’s a lot that goes into an Accelera tyre, so pay close attention; we’re starting from the outside and working our way in.
- The Tread: Placed on top of the belt system, it contains two rubber compounds (tread base and tread cap) and improves durability and stability. The tread pattern is moulded into the tread cap rubber during the curing process. The tread cap is made with a higher-grip rubber compound which works with the tread base and design to provide traction and mileage.
- The Belt System: Placed on top of the casing. Its main function is to provide stability to the tyre’s tread area, contributing to wear, handling, and function. The most common belt material is steel, which provides strength and stability without adding too much weight.
- The Tyre Casing: The body of the tyre, which includes the body ply, the inner liner, the bead, and the sidewall all looped around the bead bundles to hold them in place.
- The Body Ply: Cords made of nylon, rayon, or polyester. These cords add strength within the casing rubber compound.
- The Inner Liner: A rubber compound used as an air seal inside the tyre, similar to an inner tube.
- The Bead: Bead bundles secure the tyre to the wheel. They’re formed with large steel cords wound together to form a cable. A rubber compound makes up the bead filler and extends into the sidewall.
- The Sidewall: Special rubber is used here to add flexibility and weather resistance. UHP (ultra-high performance) tyres may also include steel or nylon to provide quicker steering response.
Note: Van tyres (commercial applications) may have an extra casing ply, an extra belt, a stronger belt steel cord, and/or larger bead with more sidewall rubber, for the purpose of higher load carrying capacities.
I bet you feel like you could build your own tyre now, don’t you?