What are Bias Ply Tires?
2 Answers
Bias ply tires are also known as conventional structure tires. They refer to pneumatic tires where the carcass plies and breaker layers have adjacent ply cords that intersect and are arranged at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread. This type of tire offers excellent longitudinal rigidity and is suitable for high-speed driving on regular road surfaces. Below is relevant information about bias ply tires: 1. The role of materials selected for bias ply tires: When high-strength cord materials such as nylon, polyester fiber, or steel wire are used, the load-bearing capacity of the tire can be significantly improved, enhancing its performance. These tires are commonly used in modern vehicles. 2. Composition of bias ply tires: Bias ply tires mainly consist of the tread, plies, breaker layers, and bead. In conventional bias ply tires, the adjacent plies and breaker layers intersect and are arranged at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the tread centerline. The tread pattern of bias ply tires is cross-shaped, providing anti-slip properties. However, since the inner layers remain unchanged, the economic benefits are not significant.
Bias-ply tires are an old-fashioned tire structure, and I've seen many vintage cars using this design. Their plies are layered diagonally in a crisscross pattern, resembling a woven mesh, typically at an angle of 30 to 40 degrees to the tire's direction. This structure makes the tire sidewalls exceptionally sturdy, preventing deformation when driving on dirt roads or uneven surfaces, which is why they were commonly used on tractors and agricultural vehicles in the past. However, they have obvious drawbacks, such as overheating easily at high speeds, increased friction leading to higher fuel consumption, and less stable rolling. As a result, most modern passenger cars have switched to radial tires, while bias-ply tires are now mostly found on construction vehicles or elderly mobility scooters. The advantage of these tires is their strong impact resistance, especially when carrying heavy loads, making them less prone to blowouts.