Automotive Engineering: Tire Lifecycle Analysis, Impact and Solutions

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the tire lifecycle within the context of automotive engineering. It begins with an introduction emphasizing the crucial role of tires as the primary link between a vehicle and the road, highlighting their importance in vehicle dynamics and road grip. The report then details the lifecycle of tires, starting from the raw materials (natural and synthetic rubber, carbon black) and the manufacturing processes, including mixing, re-milling, curing, and quality control. It also examines the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with each stage, such as pollution from incomplete combustion and disposal challenges. The report further explores the environmental costs of tire disposal, including landfill issues and potential health concerns. It concludes by acknowledging the problems associated with tire lifecycle and discusses advanced technologies like intelligent tires and synthetic rubber to mitigate some of these issues. The report references various sources to support its findings, providing a comprehensive overview of the tire lifecycle and its implications.

Running head: AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING 1
Automotive Engineering
Student’s Name
Date of Submission

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING 2
Introduction
The tires are important components in the automotive engineering because they function
as the only link which exists between the road and the vehicle (Russel, 2013). The ties are made
of rubber and consist of various properties such as being flexible and strong in order to be able to
be fixed on the rim of the wheel. The significance of the tires for trade in automotive engineering
is because their qualities can be used for the calibration and optimization of various dynamics of
a vehicle. Apart from providing the cushion to the wheel, they also help in gripping the road
surfaces. This is why they are fitted in several automobiles such as aircraft, trucks, buses, farm
equipment, motorbikes and tractors among others. Initially, the tires were fitted with tubes so as
air can be held inside but nowadays pressure in form of a seal is created in the wheels.
Life cycle of tires
Tires are made up of natural which serves as the raw material. In other cases, however,
tires can as well be made from synthetic rubber. In order to meet the required properties, the
rubber needs to be treated using various chemicals followed by the heating process. This form of
treatment is used to achieve the required resistance to tearing, strength as well as resiliency.
Natural rubber exists in form of a milky liquid. Initially, this liquid is treated with acids so as to
convert the liquid into a solid. The excess liquid is removed using high pressure such that rubber
is formed in form of sheets. The rubber sheets are then dried under high pressure in smokehouses
to form large bales which are then sent to tire manufacturing factories for further processing.
Another substance used in the manufacture of tires is carbon black which is made from natural
gas (Martinez et al., 2013). It is formed by incomplete combustion of natural gas to form fine
soot. Some of the important processes of tire making include mixing of ingredients, re-milling,
mixing contents, curing, quality control and used tire disposal.
2

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING 3
It is important to note that the life cycle of tires has several impacts to the environment
more so because it causes pollution. For instance, the incomplete combustion causes
accumulation of toxic as well as greenhouse gases which leads to global warming. Some
chemicals used in tire manufacturing like sulfur could expose the factory staff into dangerous
health conditions through ingestion and inhalation. In the quality control step, there are some
procedures such as X-ray videography which are involved in viewing the batches of tire raw
materials to ensure that they meet the required quality. Another social, economic and
environmental costs arise during used tires disposal (David, 2015). In most cases, these wastes
cause dump sites which are unsightly may cause health concerns to the community due to the
chemical composition of tires. Some of these dump sites cannot be used for any economically
productive activities like farming. In order to reduce the various concerns, intelligent tires that
use sensor technology and risks in tire life cycle, automated protocols have been developed to
lower the physical handling of the manufacturing process (Akron, 2016). Bearing in mind the
environmental degradation in harvesting latex, the process of importation of raw materials has
been reduced through the use of synthetic rubber which is chemically manufactured.
Conclusion
Although tires are important in the automotive engineering, they are associated with
environmental, social and economic problems. These arise throughout the life cycle although
some stages have more serious effects than others. Thus there are advanced technologies which
have been developed to lower the issues that arise in importation and manufacturing process.
3

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING 4
References
Akron, O., (2016). Bridgestone’s vision of the future of the tire industry. Bridgestone. Retrieved
from https://www.bridgestoneamericas.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2016/
bridgestone_s-vision-of-the-future-of-the-tire-industry
David, S., (2015). Visions of the future for the global tire industry. Retrieved from
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/visions-future-global-tire-industry-david-shaw
Martinez, J. D., Murillo, R., & García, T. (2013). Production of carbon black from the waste tires
pyrolysis. Bol. Grupo Español. Carbon, 30, 10-14. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283502434_Production_of_carbon_black_from
_the_waste_tires_pyrolysis
Russel, W., (2013). Do not underestimate the importance of tires. Sunshine coast daily.
Retrieved from https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/do-not-underestimate-
importance-tyres/1784408/
4