Approved by ASTM International Committee F 09on Tires

W. Conshohocken PA, USA -- A rim slip performance test for tires that has been done at the Nevada Automotive Test Center for more than 20 years has now become an ASTM International standard.

ASTM F2803, Test Method for Evaluating Rim Slip Performance of Tires and Wheels, was developed by Subcommittee F09.20 on Vehicular Testing, part of ASTM International Committee F09 on Tires.

Rim slip occurs when tire and wheel combinations are subjected to high torque inputs, with excessive rim slip happening when tire and wheel interface is less than optimal.

Reasons for rim slip include: tire inside diameter variance; rim seat not up to specifications; rim polished or painted; and use of improper lubricant during mounting of tire.

According to Jason Whiteley, automotive/tire test engineer, Nevada Automotive Test Center, and an F09 member, rim slip can cause improper bead seating, bead damage or additional polishing of the inside rim flange, any of which can lead to air loss over time, rapid air loss or tire blowout.

“Rim slip can increase as a result of low inflation pressure, such as during operations on mud, sand or snow when a higher amount of contact area with the surface is preferred,” says Whiteley. “Rim slip may also increase as a result of high torque demand such as during hill climbing or high performance driving.”

Whiteley says that ASTM F2803 will be helpful to tire and wheel manufacturers to determine what effect different tire designs, wheel designs or inflation pressures have on the amount of rim slip experienced.

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