Is there no other material that would work?
2007-09-20 12:32:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Rubber is cheap to manufacture and requires replacement every 5-7 years due to dry rot that occurs in tires. I'm sure a very expensive synthetic material could probably replace it but that would be bad for business.
Scientists did make a light bulb that lasts over 100 years yet we see ones with 2000 hours of life span on the shelves with compact flourescent bulbs coming into the mainstream just recently.
It is all about business and making a buck.
2007-09-20 12:45:59 · answer #1 · answered by AH 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Aluminum has been used to make wheels for motorcycles setting speed records at Bonneville. Aluminum was used because at such high speeds, centrifugal force had a tendency to tear conventional tires apart which wasn't good at 300 mph. The handling of the metal tires was very lousy for the same reason tires use springy rubber or synthetic rubber like compounds. When a rubber tire rolls, the footprint of the tire absorbs energy, stores it momentarily in that particular part of the tire and then releases and pushes the tire forward as that part of the tire is lifted from the pavement. This action helps center the wheel and keep it moving in the same direction. The metal wheels didn't have the flexxing action and therefore wanted to go all over the place.
2007-09-21 15:47:35 · answer #2 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, tires haven't been made from rubber for many years. They are constructed from synthetic materials. That is the reason we can get so many miles from a set of modern tires. Tires made from rubber wore out pretty fast. The scientists at the tire companies are constantly working on new compounds they can use for our future tire needs.
2007-09-20 19:49:18 · answer #3 · answered by Otto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, let's see, wood won't last long so that's out. Plastic would also wear out quickly. I think we all agree aluminum or steel would make a lousy tire. Glass or concrete would be unacceptable. Fiberglass won't get you out of the driveway. So what else is left? Rubber (or rubber compounds) does the job nothing else can do.
2007-09-20 20:11:50 · answer #4 · answered by Nc Jay 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has to be a substance that will grip normal road surfaces, but there is no rule that says they have to be either natural or synthetic rubber.
Invent a cheaper compound with traction that will have the same life and you will become one of the world's richest people.
2007-09-20 19:39:49 · answer #5 · answered by Tom K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hear they're working on 'super-rubber,' but I don't think that helps in this scenario.
2007-09-20 19:40:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
traction to the pavement
2007-09-20 19:40:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋