What are the raw materials used to produce wheels?
1. Rubber material
Rubber is an indispensable material in the manufacture of wheels, especially tires. Rubber has good elasticity, wear resistance and chemical stability, making it an ideal choice for tires. Rubber materials used in wheels are mainly divided into natural rubber and synthetic rubber.
Natural rubber: Natural rubber is derived from the latex of rubber trees and has superior comprehensive properties such as high elasticity, low rolling resistance and good grip. Premium tires are often made of natural rubber to improve their durability and comfort.
Synthetic rubber: Synthetic rubber is made by chemical methods that can mimic some of the properties of natural rubber. Common synthetic rubber are styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber and so on. They have the characteristics of low cost, good processing performance and so on, and are often used in the manufacture of ordinary tires.
In addition, tire manufacturing will also use tire recycled rubber, which is a low-cost rubber raw material made from waste tires through crushing, desulfurization and other processing processes. Recycled rubber has good compatibility with natural rubber and synthetic rubber, and can be used to reduce production costs.
2. Textile materials
Textile materials are mainly used in wheel manufacturing to strengthen the skeleton of tires. These materials include cord and canvas, etc., which are usually made of multiple layers of impregnated cord bonded with rubber, and play a role in enhancing the overall strength of the tire and stabilizing the outer tire.
Cord fabric: Cord fabric is usually made of high strength fibers, such as nylon, polyester, para-aramid and so on. These fibers have excellent strength, elongation, elastic modulus and fatigue resistance, and can withstand various stresses and deformation of tires during driving.
Canvas: Although canvas is not as strong as cord fabric, it is still used as a reinforcing material in some tires. It is mainly made of natural fibers such as cotton and hemp or synthetic fibers, and has good gas induction and wear resistance.
3. Metal materials
Metal materials are mainly used in wheel manufacturing for parts such as rims, spokes and hubs. Common metal materials are aluminum alloy and alloy steel.
Aluminum alloy: Aluminum alloy wheels have the advantages of light weight, high strength and good corrosion resistance. They not only reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency, but also provide better handling and ride comfort. Aluminum alloy wheels are usually made by casting or forging processes.
Alloy steel: Alloy steel wheels have low cost and high safety, and are often used in heavy trucks and commercial vehicles. In recent years, high-strength steels such as microalloyed steel, duplex steel and bainite steel have also been used to make wheels to reduce weight and improve performance.
4. Adjuvants
Compounding agents are indispensable auxiliary materials in wheel manufacturing, they are used to improve the performance of rubber materials to meet the various requirements of tire manufacturing. Common compounds include vulcanizing agents, reinforcing fillers, anti-aging agents and softeners.
Vulcanizing agent: vulcanizing agent is used to cross-link rubber molecular chains into a network structure to make the rubber elastic. The vulcanized glue has higher strength and wear resistance.
Reinforcing fillers: reinforcing fillers such as carbon black, calcium carbonate, etc. are used to enhance the hardness and strength of rubber. Carbon black is one of the most important reinforcing agents in tire manufacturing, which can significantly improve the wear resistance and anti-aging properties of tires.
Anti-aging agent: anti-aging agent is used to prevent rubber materials from aging due to environmental factors such as ultraviolet light and oxygen. They can extend the life of the tire and improve its durability.
Softener: Softener is used to improve the processability and softness of rubber. They reduce the viscosity of the rubber, making it easier to process.
In summary, the raw materials for the production of wheels include rubber materials, textile materials, metal materials and compounding agents. The choice and proportion of these materials is crucial to the performance and quality of the wheel. Through reasonable material selection and process control, wheels with excellent performance can be manufactured to meet the needs of different vehicles.