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Technical Paper

Friction, Tread Depth and Water; Laboratory Investigations of Passenger Car Tire Cornering Performance under Minimally-Wet Conditions

2013-04-08
2013-01-0789
The passenger car tire testing reported herein extends earlier published research. Results under minimally-wet conditions displayed behavior similar to those previous tests conducted at greater water depths, except for the lowest water depth considered (0.25 mm or 0.01 inches). These tests reinforce the earlier conclusion that tire tread depths of less than about 3.0 mm (4/32 inches) develop significantly less cornering friction on wet surfaces at highway speeds than will tires of greater tread depth, and can approach hydroplaning at those speeds in the presence of minimal water film thickness. Some effects on wet friction capability due to tire aging and aspect ratio are presented, as well as some observations on the significance of tire placement. Also presented are suggested methods for relating laboratory results to real-world highways.
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