Cord Force Measurements in Radial Tires

Miniature force transducers in the form of strain gage instrumented tension links are used to measure the loads developed in the rayon cords in both the stabilizer and body plies of automobile tires of radial construction. These transducers are placed in series with the cord and are embedded in the rubber matrix of the tire during building. Cord forces are obtained at various wheel loads and inflation pressures for straight ahead rolling and cornering of the tires in operation. It is shown that a relatively simple formula can be used to theoretically predict the cord tension developed in the sidewall region due to inflation pressure.