Why Do Tires Burst When Hitting Potholes?
2 Answers
Tire burst reasons when hitting potholes: 1. Excessive tire pressure: Increases the probability of a tire burst. Generally, tire pressure isn't inflated too high. High pressure doesn't directly cause the tire to burst; it's important to note that tires can withstand pressures over 4bar. However, under severe impact, rapid tire deformation can cause the tire's cord layer to break, leading to a burst. 2. Insufficient tire pressure: Excessive tire deformation causes repeated bending and heating, leading to rubber fatigue and aging, eventually resulting in a burst. Only the part in contact with the ground deforms, and as the tire rotates, this deformation recovers immediately once it leaves the ground. 3. Damage to the tire sidewall: Previous impacts causing bulges make the tire highly susceptible to bursting. The sidewall is the thinnest and weakest part of the tire, lacking steel wire support and consisting only of the cord layer. The cord layer is made of individual cords, which can easily break under external force.
I've encountered a similar situation before, and after careful research, I realized that tire blowouts from hitting potholes are primarily an issue of impact force. The sharp edges of a pothole can instantly compress the tire sidewall, which is inherently a weaker area that normally relies on air pressure for support. When hitting a pothole at high speed, the tire undergoes excessive compression and deformation, potentially causing the sidewall's cords to snap. It's like punching a balloon suddenly and hard. If the tire is already aged or underinflated, the situation becomes even more dangerous. Once, I saw my neighbor's tire with a long gash on the sidewall caused by hitting a pothole, rendering the entire tire useless.
