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A belted tire refers to a type of tire construction that incorporates a stabilizing belt made of multiple plies of materials like steel, fiberglass, or aramid fibers. Here are the key features and characteristics of belted tires:
- Construction:
- Belted Design: The belt in a belted tire consists of two or more layers of strong, flexible materials arranged circumferentially around the tire, between the carcass (inner structure) and the tread rubber (outer surface).
- Materials: Belts are typically made from materials such as steel cords, fiberglass, or aramid fibers. These materials provide tensile strength and help stabilize the tire’s tread area during rotation and contact with the road surface.
- Types of Carcass:
- Radial or Bias-Ply: The carcass of a belted tire can be either radial-ply or bias-ply. Radial tires have ply cords that run radially from bead to bead, while bias-ply tires have cords that run diagonally across the tire from bead to bead at an angle.
- Functionality:
- Enhanced Stability: The primary function of the belt in a belted tire is to enhance stability and improve tread wear resistance.
- Handling and Performance: Belts help to maintain the shape of the tire’s tread, especially during high-speed cornering and acceleration. This improves handling characteristics, traction, and overall performance of the tire.
- Applications:
- Passenger Vehicles: Belts are commonly used in passenger car tires, where they contribute to improved ride comfort, stability, and longevity.
- Trucks and SUVs: They are also found in light truck and SUV tires, providing durability and load-carrying capacity.
- Performance Tires: In high-performance and sports cars, belted tires are favored for their ability to handle higher speeds and cornering forces effectively.
In summary, belted tires combine the advantages of both radial and bias-ply tire technologies by incorporating strong, circumferentially oriented belts. This construction enhances tire performance, durability, and stability across various applications in automotive and commercial vehicle industries.
See Relate Terms:
- Bias belted tire
- Steel belted radial tire