Retread Tire Performance Evaluation Comparing to New Tire and Applying Quality Tool to Improve the Retreading Process

Abstract

The automobile industry has developed rapidly, leading to a significant increase in the production of scrap tires. Tire recycling has become a valuable and environmentally recognized recycling technology, and there is a growing need to promote energy conservation, emission reduction, and the development of a green recycling economy. Tire retreading is a type of recycling that extends a tire's useful life by effectively utilizing the tire's core value at the end of its useful life. However the performance and cost of the various retread tire types have come under scrutiny in recent years, as retreaded tires have been known to exhibit failure phenomena like early wear, aging, and tearing. This has a significant impact on both the safety of the user and the application of the retreaded tire. The purpose of this study is to analyze the performance of retreaded tire by comparing to new tire of the same model and to investigate the economics of retreading by comparing it to the purchase of new tires. A 3-D finite element model of retread and new tire were developed using ANSYS workbench to predict their static responses at different load and inflation pressure. Wear test was done to get comparative performance of retread tires from a company of Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation and the statistical results were used as inputs to evaluate the performance. The simulation results show that, while the retread tire's simulation result is slightly higher than the new tire's, the equivalent stress, total deformation, contact area, and ground pressure distribution of the two tires are fairly comparable. The experimental results show that retread tires mile age is 13 % lower but cost per km of travel is 37 % lower compare to new tire. Retreaded tires can have a lower failure rate and often have an equivalent lifespan to new tires if tire casings are extensively inspected and tested, and pre-cured tread or mold-cure rubber compound is selected with the intended use in mind. Finally, a proposal for further work in the subject has been made, as well as ideas for other projects.

The Automobile Industry Has Developed Rapidly, Leading To A Significant Increase In The Production Of Scrap Tires. Tire Recycling Has Become A Valuable And Environmentally Recognized Recycling Technology, And There Is A Growing Need To Promote Energy Conservation, Emission Reduction, And The Development Of A Green Recycling Economy. Tire Retreading Is A Type Of Recycling That Extends A Tire's Useful Life By Effectively Utilizing The Tire's Core Value At The End Of Its Useful Life. However The Performance And Cost Of The Various Retread Tire Types Have Come Under Scrutiny In Recent Years, As Retreaded Tires Have Been Known To Exhibit Failure Phenomena Like Early Wear, Aging, And Tearing. This Has A Significant Impact On Both The Safety Of The User And The Application Of The Retreaded Tire. The Purpose Of This Study Is To Analyze The Performance Of Retreaded Tire By Comparing To New Tire Of The Same Model And To Investigate The Economics Of Retreading By Comparing It To The Purchase Of New Tires. A 3-D Finite Element Model Of Retread And New Tire Were Developed Using Ansys Workbench To Predict Their Static Responses At Different Load And Inflation Pressure. Wear Test Was Done To Get Comparative Performance Of Retread Tires From A Company Of Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation And The Statistical Results Were Used As Inputs To Evaluate The Performance. The Simulation Results Show That, While The Retread Tire's Simulation Result Is Slightly Higher Than The New Tire's, The Equivalent Stress, Total Deformation, Contact Area, And Ground Pressure Distribution Of The Two Tires Are Fairly Comparable. The Experimental Results Show That Retread Tires Mile Age Is 13 % Lower But Cost Per Km Of Travel Is 37 % Lower Compare To New Tire. Retreaded Tires Can Have A Lower Failure Rate And Often Have An Equivalent Lifespan To New Tires If Tire Casings Are Extensively Inspected And Tested, And Pre-Cured Tread Or Mold-Cure Rubber Compound Is Selected With The Intended Use In Mind. Finally, A Proposal For Further Work In The Subject Has Been Made, As Well As Ideas For Other Projects.