Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
Developing inexpensive tire softeners can prolong the life of tires and save people money that would be spent on new replacement tires. We have conducted two tests on the treated and untreated tires: the hardness test and the grip test. First, tire hardness was measured with a durometer on a tire that was treated with hot lap and a tire that was not. The tire that was treated with hot lap was slightly softer than the untreated tire substantiating the tire softener's claim. Next, we will be cutting pieces out of the tire (also called omegas) and running them through an instron machine. This machine stretches the omegas at a certain frequency and reports back the hysteresis. The higher the hysteresis, the better the grip. Testing is ongoing, but initial results show that the tire softners did make the tires softer.
Recommended Citation
Bennett, B.; Lowum, S.; Smith, C.; Alverson, B.; Ellis, C.; Ward, B.; Dix, S.; and Getman, R., "Development of an inexpensive tire softening agent from readily available materials to improve traction in race car tires" (2014). Focus on Creative Inquiry. 35.
https://open.clemson.edu/foci/35