Evaluation of Tire Wear Using a New Paint Wear Test

This study presents an improved paint wear test. It comprises applying a single layer of paint to tread surface by spraying, running the tires on a vehicle for a short distance, assessing the wear rate by measuring the intensities of reflecting lights at various locations, and comparing them with original values. The system uses changes in the gray level of each point on the tread block to determine wear rate. This method permits the wear rate to be quantitatively evaluated with a very high resolution under well-controlled test conditions.

A typical example is provided to show wear distribution across shoulder to shoulder of truck tire. Application of the technique makes studies of the effects of wheel alignment and tire on uneven wear possible.