STANDARDS FOR SELECTION OF RETREADING INPUTS

In the case of retreading inputs also Bureau of Indian Standards have not made out specifications to enable the retreaders to select these inputs on the basis of certain standard physical properties. As a result the quality of Tread Rubber and other repair materials available in the country tend to show wide differentials in the wearing ability and performance. In a data derived from retread road test a 48% difference in mileage was found between various brands of first line tread rubbers. It is also estimated that the difference in wear level from the poorest to the best grades of tread rubber will range from 50 to 170 level. This situation raises the question as to what should be the criterion for buying a standard tread rubber.

As there is no industry recognised formula or set of physical properties that will guarantee the best quality tread rubber to buy, one alternative to select Tread Rubber, let it be precured or hot cap [die size] is to deal with a Tread Rubber manufacturer of reputation.

After selecting such a manufacturer the retreader can run comparative tests. Although it takes a bit of time and effort, the half and half test will give a very reasonable picture of the performance of the tread rubber to buy. For conducting this test place one half of the rubber to be tested around the tyre, mark it, identify it an do the same with another brand of tread rubber. Without limiting the test to one tyre or one vehicle, try the exercise on a number of tyres. The steady application and follow up on these tests will give a reasonably accurate performance data for two different brands of tread rubber. (source: retreader’s journal published from u.s.a)

Another method for evaluating the performance of tread rubber is to call for the physical properties of the tread from the supplier and to check the same with an independent Laboratory.