How Tyres are Made

Tyres are a key component of the vehicles we drive around and the lorries that ship our goods across the country every day. Having a good set of tyres on a vehicle can impact how well the car handles, how safe it is to drive and how responsive it will be to your control. But how does a set of tyres get manufactured before you purchase one at tyre fitters like Just Tyres? Here’s some help with demystifying the process.

Step-by-step

Every tyre has a rubber base, steel cord, textiles and fibers. The tyre manufacturing process involves selecting and readying the rubber compound, mixing batches of the rubber compound, preparing the steel or fabric cords, calendering, preparing the bead component, extrusion, building and curing.

Mixing

During the mixing, temperatures can go upto 170°C but the final phase is kept under 100°C on an average to prevent any burning. After the compound is made into ‘slap’ or sheets it can be subjected to assembly preparation, inner liner and steel/fabric belt cord calendering, tyre sidewall and extrusion

Calendering

The steel/fabric cord helps give added strength to the tyres which often bear very heavy loads. During the calendering process, the rubber sheets are adhered to the steel/fabric cords by passing through giant heated steel rollers coated in chrome. The resulting sheets are then cut to shape as desired. The inner liner goes through calendering as well. The bead component helps the tyre stay fastened to the rim of the wheel.

Extrusion

During extrusion, the rubber compound is heated and shaped. This precision stage is often operated by computer today. The tread section may have rubber compound from 3 extruders joining in one extruder head before being cooled. Sidewalls undergo a similar process.

Building and curing

When tyre building begins, a drum is used around which go the inner liner followed by the two body ply. The bead assembly is then put in place before the drum bladder is blown up with air and the sidewall sections attached. A different machine then attaches the belts and tread. When the tyre undergoes curing, it sits in a mold into which rubber compound is let in. This vulcanization moulds the tyre and creates the tread pattern.

Quality checks on tyres

Since it is such a critical piece of the road safety puzzle, manufacturers and tyre fitters like Just Tyres have stringent norms on quality. Tyre manufacturers have a set of criteria and parameters by which they judge the quality of a tyre. That’s why it’s especially important to check quality when you buy cheap tyres, because you may encounter problems once they’re fitted.

Capabilities of a good tyre

A good tyre enables the driver to gain more control on the vehicle while in motion, and improves braking. It makes handling the car easier while on the go, giving passengers a safer and more comfortable ride. In the case of goods lorries, it will mean less bumpy rides and less chances of damage to the cargo.