Tread Design and Belt Angle Effect on Residual Aligning Torque

Residual aligning torque is described as a predictor of tire contribution to steering pull. An automobile manufacturer's test method to measure residual aligning torque levels of tires is presented.

Residual aligning torque levels are related to the conicity and plysteer values of production and experimental tires. The concepts of conicity residual aligning torque and plysteer residual aligning torque are introduced. Residual aligning torque correlations between two laboratory testing facilities are discussed.

The effect of belt angle and tread design on residual aligning torque is shown in three experiments.