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Increased resistance to tread wear, improved road holding and safety, reduction of wander at ridges in road surfaces, lower spring rate, reduced transmission of road roar generated on rough textured road surfaces, and reduced fuel consumption have all encouraged the introduction of the radial ply, rigid breaker tire on the European market to the extent that it is being used as original equipment on a number of modern vehicles. Although satisfactory endurance and standing wave performance have been reached, there are several areas which still present problems and the need exists for high precision in manufacture. This new type of tire is probably most suited to a vehicle designed to meet its specific characteristics.

Conventionally, tires are made with cross-bias cases. In Europe, however, there is increasing interest in other constructions that enable vibration characteristics to be chosen to suit the vibration transmission characteristics of the vehicle. Since construction is an important factor in controlling tread wear, an estimate must be made when initial information about vibration is available, so that unprofitable designs will be given low priority. This paper summarizes the nondestructive techniques used in estimating tread wear resistance of various tire constructions, both in the laboratory and on the drawing board.