The ability for rubber to retake its shape after being
compressed. Normally low rebound
characteristics = high traction.
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The heat curve of a compound can predict how a tire will
react during competition. It is most useful during manufacturing for quality
assurance. We use it to compare different compounds and brands of tires.
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A Pyrometer is a device which measures the temperature of the tire
tread. The two most common designs are the probe and infra-red. The probe
design is inserted just under the surface tread, the infra-red doesn't touch the
tire and reads the surface temperatures.
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A durometer is a device which measures resistance to compression.
The device is typically used by dirt track racers more than road race/autocross.
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The tire contact patch is the part of the tire that touches the road.
On tall tires the contact patch is longer than wide. On short tires the
opposite is true. The contact patches ratio of length to width is called the aspect
ratio. Aspect ratio is one determining factor of the slip angle.
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The slip angle of a tire is the angular difference between the wheel
direction and the contact patch direction. Design characteristics of tires that
affect slip angles are:
compound
cord bias angle and construction
cord material
side wall height
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