What is Polymer in Tire Manufacturing? Check it Out Here!
The polymer that is synthetic rubber in the manufacturing of car tires is polypropylene. Essentially, tire production does not use just any rubber.
There are types of polymers used in the industry. One of them is when making tires. The polymer used to make car tires is certainly stronger.
So, what are the characteristics of this polymer? Read more below.
Function of Polymers in Car Tire Manufacturing
What is a polymer in car tire manufacturing?
A polymer is a synthetic rubber material that is intentionally used to make car tires, commonly referred to as polypropylene. The function of polypropylene is actually a thermoplastic polymer that is widely used in various industries.
Generally, there are several types of polymers currently in use. However, to make car tires, the polymer used is polypropylene.
Polypropylene comes from the white sap of rubber trees, also known as latex. For its users, polypropylene is not only used to make car tires.
Polypropylene is also used to make food wrappers, textile products, and others. Thus, it can be concluded that polypropylene is made from natural materials and formed into synthetic rubber to support the car tire manufacturing process.
Read Also: Criteria for Dangerous Used Tires, Replace Your Car Tires Immediately!
Steps to Maintain Car Tires
After knowing polypropylene as the polymer used as a material for making car tires, do you know the correct and proper steps to maintain tires? Don't be mistaken, tire maintenance should not be taken lightly.
Here are various steps to maintain car tires, among others:
1. Regularly Check Tire Pressure
To maintain car tires, checking tire pressure must be done continuously. Especially if you are going on a long trip using the car. You can measure the tire pressure periodically at least once a month.
In addition, ensure that the tire pressure is in accordance with the recommendations, neither more nor less. Under-inflated tires can cause serious problems. Additionally, if the tire pressure is low, fuel consumption can increase significantly.
2. Rotate Car Tires
Not only checking tire pressure, another thing to pay attention to is tire rotation. Rotation is done to extend the tire's lifespan.
Front tires are prone to friction and will wear out faster. Before the tire surface becomes flat, it is better to rotate the front and rear tires. You can perform the rotation every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
3. Ensure Tires are Always Balanced
Not stopping there, to ensure the tires last longer, you also need to perform alignment and balancing.
This should be done periodically, so that safety and comfort while driving can be ensured well.
Alignment and balancing can be done every time you replace new tires, or if the tires feel vibrating at certain speeds.
Read Also: How to Determine the Age of Car Tires
4. Perform Visual Inspection
Another mandatory thing to do is regular visual inspection. In fact, for visual inspection, there is no need to go to a workshop. If you find bulges or cuts on the tire wall, you must be alert immediately.
Bulges and cuts on tires can reduce tire durability. In the worst-case scenario, the tire could explode.
As an owner, knowing that the polymer which is synthetic rubber in the manufacturing of car tires is polypropylene is indeed general knowledge that must be known.
However, in addition, knowledge about tire maintenance is equally important. To replace tires, make sure you do it at an official workshop or Daihatsu dealer. With experienced technicians, tire replacement will be done quickly and accurately.