RETREADING PROCESS
Retreading is the process by which a worn out or bald tyre is affixed with Tread Rubber [Wearing surface of tyre] to extend the usable life of such a tyre.
The history of retreading is as old as that of tyre itself. The tread portion of the tyre which comes in contact with the road surface gets worn out over a period of time due to friction and generation of heat while running. As a result the tyre becomes completely bald making it unfit for service. However, to discard such a worn out tyre is not an economical proposition, because the major cost of a tyre constitutes the cost incurred in the making of the tyre casing or the carcass portion. This is because, almost 60% of the raw materials which go in the manufacture of tyres are derived from petroleum, a very scarce and costly raw material for many other applications also, Which everyone is trying to conserve as much as possible. Therefore when tyres are retreaded, scarce natural resources are preserved. Although for many years, retreaded tyres were perceived to be inferior or a second class product, today, retreaded tyres have shed their negative image and are widely accepted to be first class substitute and often a positively preferred alternative to the new tyre. A properly made retreaded tyre is capable of giving the same or even better performance than the new tyre.
Even then, one of the major advantages of retreading is in its cost effectiveness. The cost involved in retreading a tyre e.g. that of a truck will be only 1/5th cost of a new tyre, which in other words mean that to make a retreaded tyre the usage of raw materials is only 1/5th of the comparative raw material and energy input used in the making of a new tyre.
RETREADING TECHNIQUES / METHODS EMPLOYED
There are two main methods of retreading of tyres
Hot/mould cure.
Precure/cold cure.
HOW SAFE ARE RETREADED TYRES?
There used to be misconceptions regarding the safety factor of the retreaded tyres. It is widely accepted that the air craft industry embodies the toughest quality and safety precautions, but it will be interesting to know that 98% of the world’s commercial air lines use retreaded tyres extensively and that air craft tyres are usually retreaded several times. In the present day, the truck and bus operators have started appreciating and understanding the benefits in safety and economy in using retreaded tyres. So also the owners of light commercial vehicles, Jeeps and Cars. Therefore what is good for the Jumbo jet tyres is bound to be good enough for the truck, bus, LCV, Jeep and Car tyres also.
RETREADING IS RECYCLING
Retreading industry, irrespective of the techniques employed, helps the nation in conserving the scarce natural resources. Almost 60% of the inputs which go in the making of a tyre, like Synthetic Rubber, Carbon Black, Rubber chemicals, rubber process oils, tyre cord are derivatives of petroleum. Therefore, through retreading, the country achieves substantial saving in scarce natural resources. This is all the more important in the present milieu when the country is struggling hard for ensuring balance of payments for import of petroleum products.