Testing of Wheels, Rims, and Tires

Rim test

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Testing of Wheels

In the automotive sector, wheels are made of steel, light metal, or composite materials and their tires. Tires are complex composite bodies composed of materials with various physical properties. As the link between the roadway and the vehicle, they transfer all forces and torques. ZwickRoell testing systems are used to determine the quasi-static and dynamic properties of wheels and tires. This ranges from standard tests on rubber, textiles, and wires to tests on the entire wheel/tire system.

Testing of Tires and Wheels

The stiffness of automobile tires is determined by measuring the force ratios under vertical and horizontal loads as well as variable tire pressure. A Z050 materials testing machine is combined with a horizontal linear unit and a multi-component force measuring platform on the lower fixed crosshead. The respective testXpert® test program enables you to perform the desired tests under vertical and horizontal loads with varied tire pressure and evaluate them.

Testing of Tire Components

The following tests, among others, are performed at ambient and typical environmental temperatures from -70 to +250 °C:

  • Tensile and tear growth test on elastomers with various specimen shapes
  • Hardness, rebound, and abrasion tests on elastomers
  • Abrasion tests on steel and textile cords made of elastomer
  • Tensile tests on steel- and textile cords Automated specimen feeding due to the large specimen quantities during the development of new compounds
  • Determination of viscoelastic properties
Tire test01
Tire test02

Testing axial deformations of the rim flange 

To determine stiffness properties, compression tests are performed on the rim flange with a special pressure spindle. For this, a floor-standing testing machine with a forward projecting, height-adjustable T-slot crosshead is used. This way the rims can and be positioned at an ergonomically comfortable height in the test area and be affixed. The load cell ensures exact measurement of the axial force, even if lateral forces occur due to the geometric shape of the rim. Due to its special construction and placement, the load cell can be inserted into the upper and lower test area of the machine for measurements.
Rim test
Rim test

Determination of continuous deformations on a lightweight rim made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic 

The axial or radial axle load is variably applied through an electromechanical actuator and the deformation behavior is recorded via an optical 3D deformation measuring system. The strain results provide information about possible weak points in the component. 
  • Lightweight rim_03
    Test arrangement with an electromechanical single testing actuator
    Test arrangement with an electromechanical single testing actuator
  • Lightweight rim_04
    Axle load can be applied variably
    Axle load can be applied variably

Hardness Test on a Flange

For steel and aluminum rims, hardness tests are primarily performed to Brinell method HBW 2.5 or Rockwell tests (for example, HRB) for production control purposes and also to ensure strength characteristic values. In addition, loads of up to 250 kg can be performed using closed loop controlled technology for all classic hardness test methods (Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers, Knoop, and ball indentation hardness) for metal and plastic applications. Even large components can be easily accommodated in the 250 x 300 mm (D x H) test area.
Hardness test

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