Operation of Passenger Tires at High Speeds 560032
THE standard tire will operate continuously at 94 mph without failing, but last only about 50 miles at 100 mph. This paper discusses means of counteracting the high power consumption and inertial effects that cause such deterioration of tire materials at high speeds.
The authors describe one special tire with tread ground away in such a manner as to lower power consumption and allow operation at 120 mph with very little distortion.
Whatever means are used to allow the higher speed operation sure to be required of future tires, the authors, say, major improvements in physical properties will account for only a few mph speed improvement. Eventual requirements, they feel, will be met with compromises in tread wear and perhaps cost.
