Production process

Raw materials

The main raw materials of a tyre are natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil. The share of rubber compounds in the total weight of a tyre is more than 80%. The rest consists of various kinds of reinforcing materials.



Approximately half of the rubber is natural rubber from a rubber tree. Rubber trees are grown in the tropics, in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. Most of the synthetic, oil-based rubbers come from European manufacturers.



Approximately one-third of the compound consists of filler substances. The most important of these is carbon black which makes the tyres black in colour. Another important filler is oil which is used as a plasticiser in the compound. Furthermore, hardening or vulcanising agents, various booster chemicals and protective agents are used in the rubber compounds.

Mixing

In the mixing stage, the raw materials are mixed together and heated at a temperature of approximately 120 degrees Celsius.



The consistency of the rubber compounds used in different parts of a tyre varies, and the consistency also varies depending on the intended use and model of the tyre. The rubber compound used in a summer tyre for a passenger car is different from that of a winter tyre.



Developing and adjusting the recipes is an important part of the tyre development work.

Component manufacturing

The compounds are used in rubberising various components, such as cables, textiles or steel belts. A tyre is manufactured from 10–30 different components.



Most of the components are various kinds of reinforcements.

Assembly

Tyre makers assemble the components into green tyres using assembly machinery.



When the components have been drawn onto the belt drum of an assembly machine and the frame of a tyre has been set on the bulkheads of the stretching machine, the machine’s loading wheel transfers the unity formed by the surface and the belt onto the frame.



The frame is then pressurised and stretched to fuse with the above-mentioned unity. This is how a green tyre is manufactured.

Vulcanising

Green tyres are vulcanised in curing presses.



The high steam pressure conducted into the curing pad inside the curing press presses the elastic green tyre against the tread pattern and side texts inside the moulds, giving the tyre its final appearance.

Inspection

Each passenger car tyre is inspected both visually and by a machine.



Attention is paid to any faults and defects with the appearance of the tyre in the visual inspection. The machine measures the pattern as well as radial throw and lateral force variation of the tyre.



When a tyre has been inspected, it will be tested, labelled and transferred to the warehouse for delivery.

Read more about Nokian Tyres' summer & winter tyres:

https://www.nokiantyres.com/tyres/passenger-car/summer-tyres/

https://www.nokiantyres.com/tyres/passenger-car/winter-tyres/