Effects of Cord Angle on In-Plane Bending of a Tire Ply

Abstract

As a rubber tire rolls down its path it is subjected to many different forces. To limit the deformation of the tire as it is subjected to these forces, cords of a more rigid material are aligned in the rubber to provide a stiffening effect. This stiffening of the composite material depends on the angle at which the cords are aligned in the rubber material. This research focuses on the specific case of in-plane bending of a tire ply through the application of a bending moment to the ply. The cord forces and the resultant stresses of the rubber membrane are studied as a function of the cord angle.