Recent technological advancements have introduced a safer, more reliable method for tire retreading that results in retread tires comparable to their newer counterparts. Especially as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increases its focus on fuel economy and reduced carbon emissions, advancements in retreading can help fleet managers maintain compliance with environmental standards while keeping tire costs low. In this blog we show you how the new technology help makes tire retreading safer.

Setting a New Standard for Retread Tires

In the past, many steps in the retreading process could inadvertently damage the tire casing, leading to an unsafe final product. Today, however, antiquated buffing procedures and other retreading processes have been replaced with improved methods with the Michelin Retreading System. These steps are unique to the Michelin system and are some of the reasons Michelin has the most advanced retreads in the marketplace. These steps include:

Grazing Light Inspection: Grazing light detects the most subtle irregularities in a tire’s casing.

Grazing light detects the most subtle irregularities in a tire’s casing. Electronic Liner Inspection: Electronic currents pulsate through the tire to reveal otherwise invisible defects.

Electronic currents pulsate through the tire to reveal otherwise invisible defects. X-Ray Inspection: Capable of detecting everything from steel damage to hidden cable status, fluoroscopic x-ray inspections help identify severe casing damage.

Capable of detecting everything from steel damage to hidden cable status, fluoroscopic x-ray inspections help identify severe casing damage. Radial Buffing: Computer-controlled radial buffing systems are used to ensure optimal tread depth for even treadwear and improved performance.

Computer-controlled radial buffing systems are used to ensure optimal tread depth for even treadwear and improved performance. Casing Integrity Analyzer®: Laser beams map out the casing’s inner contour to spot hidden separations.

Laser beams map out the casing’s inner contour to spot hidden separations. Heat Cure Repairs: Heat curing addresses any necessary repairs for longer-lasting results compared to chemical repair processes.

Heat curing addresses any necessary repairs for longer-lasting results compared to chemical repair processes. Pre-Mold™ Builder Balance Improvement: This process indexes tread and cushion joints to guarantee a smoother ride with even treadwear.

This process indexes tread and cushion joints to guarantee a smoother ride with even treadwear. Pre-Mold™ Cushion Extrusion & Tread Building: Computer-controlled tread builders ensure correct tread positioning while hot cushion gum creates a stronger tread-to-casing bond.

Computer-controlled tread builders ensure correct tread positioning while hot cushion gum creates a stronger tread-to-casing bond. Enveloping: Double-vacuum-enveloping processes create uniform mechanical pressure to ensure heat cure repairs are fully integrated.

Double-vacuum-enveloping processes create uniform mechanical pressure to ensure heat cure repairs are fully integrated. Pre-Mold™ Curing: Time, temperature, and pressure are carefully monitored to produce the highest-quality Pre-Mold retreads.

A final inspection is then conducted to ensure your fleet’s retread tires meet performance and safety expectations. With advancements in tire manufacturing materials, retread tires are now capable of helping fleet managers meet additional requirements set forth by the EPA.

Retread Tires & GHG II Regulations

In August 2016, the EPA developed the second phase to its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction project to reduce carbon emissions, increase fuel economy, and reduce oil consumption. According to experts, advancements in retreading have helped lower rolling resistance to save fleets money on fuel consumption. These improvements help fleet managers avoid the headache of balancing GHG II regulations with operational budget concerns.

Retread tires are only as good as the retreading manufacturer through which the process is performed. For safe, reliable retreads you can trust, look no further than STTC for your fleet’s tire needs!

STTC Retread Tires for Your Commercial Trucking Fleet

After knowing how New Technology Help Makes Tire Retreading Safer, at STTC, our retread process has been optimized since our founding in 1955. Using the most advanced tools and techniques, our team will deliver safe, reliable, fuel-efficient retread tires for your fleet. Combine our retreading process with our preventative tire maintenance plans to get even more miles out of your retreads! Find out more about how STTC can help your fleet access improved retreads and tire maintenance by contacting us today.