TRAILER TYRE

The BTRC recycled powder is used by companies to replace 40 phr of virgin NR in the tread of trailer tyres [8] and in all layers of solid tyres. 

The device consists of a trailer with two wheels towed by a suitable vehicle one or both wheels are test wheels. The apparatus contains a transducer (or transducers), instrumentation, a water supply and proper dispensing system and actuation controls for the brake of the test wheel (usually one at time in case both are test wheels). The test wheel is equipped with a standard smooth or ribbed tyre according to ASTM E 524 (2008) or ASTM E 501 (2008), respectively. 

The measuring apparatus consisting of a test wheel with a smooth tyre (ASTM E 1551 2008), force or torque transducers and a watering system is usually built into a vehicle or into a trailer towed by a vehicle. 

The tyre on the wheel wears away during use like a tyre of a car. German Rail permitted tyres to be used with an original diameter of 920 mm until worn down to 858 mm, before the trailer had to be withdrawn. After the accident, independent experts performed computer calculations. They found that an 890 mm diameter seemed necessary for safe operation. Below this value the stresses steadily increase, until the tyre breaks. The wheel used in Eschede had been used for about 1.8 million kilometres, and the tyre was worn down to 862 mm. 

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