Page 31 - CTB N9 - 2015-01

PRODUCTS
Hankook Extends Tyre Portfolio in Light Truck Segment
Hankook is extending its line-up of tyres for the minivan and light truck segment by specific high- performance variants in 16 and 17 inch sizes. The tyre models Ventus Prime2 and Vantra LT are now being manufactured in original fitment versions for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. Alongside good wet grip and precise handling, the development of the tyres, which are being manufactured at the company’s state-of-the-art production facility in Hungary, mainly focus on a high level of comfort combined with exceptional environmental properties such as low rolling resistance and a low rolling noise.
In addition to the safety aspects such as outstanding braking performance and first-class handling, the development engineers’ specification concentrated particularly on high noise and rolling comfort and a significantly reduced rolling resistance. Hankook’s original fitment specialist Ventus Prime2, which is fitted in the 17-inch version in size 225/55 R 17 101 V XL to the Mercedes-Benz V- Class for example, stood out on account of its extremely comfortable driving properties during the extensive test phase. One of the key factors is the tyre contour of the Hankook Ventus Prime2 in Multi-Tread-Radius technology, which is matched to specific application requirements. In conjunction with a high- strength steel cord material for the especially compact belt design the best possible tyre contact area is thus always guaranteed – no matter the load
of the vehicle. Thanks to the use of an innovative nano-silica tread compound with a specially adapted basic mixture, the rolling resistance has been significantly reduced, while high wet grip properties have been retained at the same time. The tread profile in bionic design also guarantees high aquaplaning reserves without having a negative effect on the rolling noise.
The 16-inch tyres used on the new minivans include Hankook tyres of the type Vantra LT in size 205/65 R 16 C 101/103 H. The award-winning light truck tyre (independently tested by Auto
Bild Reisemobil, April 2014, for example) was developed in view of the high demands and special requirements of regional and local passenger and commercial transport. The engineers focused on excellent wet grip and on the maximisation of tread life coupled with optimised fuel efficiency by minimising energy losses during driving, thus enhancing overall economic efficiency. Thanks to numerous new technologies such as the sidewall protect shield and optimised tread block layout and structure (“durable contact patch technology”), the Vantra LT offers both improved driving properties and safety at high speeds as well as reduced tread wear. This has allowed the tread life potential of the tyre to be increased by up to 12% compared with its predecessor.
Commercial Tyre Business 31
Vacu-Lug Takes Aircraft Tyre Technology as Model for new Tyre Range
Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres has launched the first in its new flagship range of commercial vehicle drive axle tyres, inspired by the latest production techniques and technologies used in aircraft and high-performance tyres. The Vacu-Lug Logistik range is designed to offer operators the “very, very lowest costs per kilometre”. The Grantham- based retreader has already launched its Logistik 295/80R22.5 drive tyre, in its new Logistik drive pattern. The 315/70R22.5 tyre is poised to launch early in the New Year.
Vacu-Lug Plant Manager Brian Barron says: “With this latest development of our drive axle tyres, we looked outside of the envelope of current truck tyre production to see what was setting the benchmark, asking ourselves constantly how we could do things better and what was being done by
those at the top end of today’s tyre production. Leading the way were the technologies used by aircraft and high- performance tyre manufacturers so we adopted their methodologies and put them into our truck tyre technology.”
One of the innovations centres on increasing the
t raditional retread press
of six segments to 12 segments. Barron is not aware of any of Vacu-
Lug’s competitors
currently using that
number.
“Some of our other competitors are at
10...so far as I’m aware,
and I think we are the
only one with 12 at the moment,” says Barron. The advantage of moving to 12 segments is a significant increase in true roundness and hence the ability to use “every mm of tread depth throughout the tyres’ rolling circumference” available. Additionally, the new press is also a substantial upgrade in
terms of curing pressure. Whereas the traditional curing pressure is +/-200psi, the new press curing pressure is 300psi.
“The theory is that there is a level of micro-porosity in a cured rubber compound and increasing the curing pressure or consolidation eliminates that completely,” adds Barron. “More pressure equals more consolidation and it means that we can maximise the tread compound performance, not only in terms of kilometres, but also in terms of fuel efficiency.”
At a competitive time for the commercial vehicle industry, when many operators are working to low margins, the upgrade in segments and curing pressure can lead to a longer tyre lifespan and lower rolling resistance, hence lower operating costs.
“The end user is going to get
the ver y, ver y lowest cost per kilometre,” stresses Barron. “We believe that the technologies we have employed will optimise the kilometre potential and fuel efficiency of the Logistik tyre beyond that of what is currently available.”