Tyre Technology,

The pneumatic tyre is an essential component of all cars, lorries and aeroplanes, vital to the provision of tractive, breaking and steering forces. The complexity of the modern tyre is such that polymer chemists, mathematicians and mechanics engineers are all involved in its manufacture. "Tyre Technology" provides design engineers in the transport industry and the military, and engineering students, with a comprehensive account of all aspects of tyre design and construction. The introductory chapter deals with the basics of the pneumatic tyre; cross ply and radial ply constructions, tubed and tubeless tyres, and tread patterns. Describing the basic functions of the tyre in detail, the author discusses its interaction with the vehicle suspension and its contribution to the reduction of noise and vibration. The various types of tyre which have envolved for different types of vehicle are explored; tyres for bicycles and motorcycles, passengers and racing cars, heavy vehicles and aeroplanes are all covered. Many factors are explained, for example, the rolling resistance and the effect of the pattern type on traction, steering and water dispersal.
Mathematical analysis of tyre structures, which are now widely used, are also included. Future possibilities are outlined, particularly relating to fundamental improvements in the current labour intensive manufacturing techniques and the development of run-flat tyres.