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Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe)

University of Akron

Virginia Tech

Last Reviewed: 05/13/2019

The Center for Tire Research will provide the forum for industry/university cooperative research for the further development, validation, and industrial implementation of the emerging technologies of tire materials, modeling, testing, manufacturing, and recycling.

Center Mission and Rationale

  • CenTiRe will provide first class research, development, and solutions to tire, vehicle, testing, and materials companies through modeling, analysis, testing, and demonstration of integrated solutions and systems.
  • Contribute to tire science education by training and educating students, including providing them exposure to industrial technology and research procedures, that will increase the quantity and quality of the professionals prepared to work in the tire and transportation areas.
  • Involve the faculty of the Universities in research in areas of common interest to Industry Members and the Universities.
  • Perform research that will allow Industry Members to be competitive in the world economy.

Research program

Manufacturing

Research into novel material and tire production methods and equipment

  • Enhanced tire performance
  • Improved efficiency

Materials

Research into new advanced polymer and filler materials that

  • Enhance tire performance
  • Are environmentally friendly
  • Provide high value to member companies

 Characterization of material properties and behavior

Tire Physics

Research into multi-scale simulation methods to predict performance

  • Molecular level
  • Tire and tire components
  • Tire / pavement interaction
  • Tire / vehicle

Sustainability

Research into sustainability of the tire through its life cycle

  • Sustainable materials
  • Recycling methods
  • Use of recycled materials
  • Characterization of properties

Testing

Research into new test methods, equipment, and data analysis

  • Characterize material properties
  • Measure tire and tire/vehicle performance
  • Characterize road surfaces

Special Activities

Locations

Virginia Tech

Randolph Hall, Room 100C
460 Old Turner St

Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061

United States

University of Akron

Auburn Science & Engineering Center 313C

Akron, Ohio, 44325-3901

United States

330-972-8698