More than 200 components are needed to manufacture a tire.
Some 200 different materials and up to 30 types of rubber are used in the manufacture of a tire. Each material contributes different properties. Cobalt and titanium, for example, are essential for the rubber's structure; Kevlar provides strength, puncture resistance, and durability; while silicon oxide reduces rolling resistance and improves performance in wet conditions.
The first tires were white
The first tires were white, as this is the natural color of rubber. In 1885, when Goodrich decided to manufacture black wheels because white was too dirty, they discovered that the new tires were more durable. By adding carbon black to rubber, they not only extended the tires' lifespan but also improved some of their properties. This petroleum derivative optimizes heat distribution, especially in problem areas like the tread, and reduces abrasive wear up to 100 times more compared to untreated rubber.
Tires accumulate static electricity
Static electricity can become a problem if a high level of charge builds up in the tires. This often occurs when a large amount of silicon oxide is used in the tire materials, as this reduces the level of connectivity. To ensure that tires discharge static electricity, manufacturers often add what's known as a "zebra stripe" to the tread, a thin strip of rubber that improves conductivity and allows the car to shed that energy.
The discovery of vulcanized rubber was due to chance
In 1830, Charles Goodyear began experimenting with rubber to create a compound that was more resistant to temperature fluctuations. The story goes that in 1839, while holding a fundraising meeting at his home in New England to continue his experiments, he accidentally struck the stove surface with a ball of gum rubber he was holding, which he had already mixed with sulfur and treated with acid and gases. When Goodyear peeled off the rubber that had adhered to the stove, he discovered it finally had the solid consistency he needed. Thus, vulcanized rubber was born.
Tires consume between 20-35% of the fuel a car uses.
When a car moves, various resistance forces act on it, including rolling resistance. Overcoming these forces consumes between 20 and 35% more energy, which is why tire manufacturing has become a kind of competition to design the most efficient model. For example, a tire that is just one centimeter narrower will have 1.5% less aerodynamic drag, and a reduction of just 0.3 bar in pressure will result in a 6% increase in rolling resistance. Of course, the structure also plays a role: the rolling resistance of radial tires is 20% lower compared to bias-ply tires.