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BKT: Vehicles and tires of the future go hand-in-hand

BKT says the leading manufacturers of earthmoving machinery are moving towards a process of irreversible change called Sustainability, the only key to the future which may see the survival of the planet and its inhabitants. At a rhythm dictated by environmental change, we are seeing the introduction of a new generation of vehicles: self-driving, electric, fuelled by alternative energy sources, solar or hydrogen.

In all of this, the tire industry is adapting in terms of research, as the tire is one of the essential components for a vehicle’s performance, in global terms of environmental and economic sustainability.

BKT, which manufactures Off-Highway tires for agricultural, industrial, earthmoving, mining, ATV and gardening vehicles is now addressing the change with a range of solutions.

In the particular case of electric vehicles, the type of energy and load distribution has led to the creation of specific tires.

Owing to the high torque, as well as the strengthening of the bead between the rim and the tire, the design of the flaps of agricultural tires must, for example, be adapted and could require a reduction in the depth of the tread and an increase in the robustness of the flaps.

Again as regards electric vehicles, in order to be able to carry heavier loads, also compounds are being researched, since they must be able to work at lower temperatures. In this regard, BKT is working to develop better performing compounds which are essential for the best possible performance of the so-called “tire of the future”, i.e. nanomaterials or nanocompounds which offer advanced functions such as thermal or mechanical stability – the BKT Research & Development Center is also conducting nanotechnology studies and experiments on natural fibers such as nanoclay and nanocellulose.

Again talking of materials, another element which the Indian company is testing out is graphene, which provides higher resistance to wear and tear and puncturing, higher resistance to traction, as well as better resistance to rolling and exceptional duration.

Graphene provides extraordinary strength and excellent flexibility. Just consider that this material is 200 times more resistant and six times more flexible than steel.

Considered the thinnest and most resistant material in the world, it has an extraordinarily high level of conductivity for both heat and electricity, all characteristics which make it an ideal material for heavy-duty applications, such as work in the mining sector.

Finally, since the dialogue between tires and machines will be a crucial element, an example of adaptation on the new generations of work vehicles are sensors mounted on the tire, which can inform the vehicle of the consumption of the tread for example, which is important for mining machinery that is subject to very heavy workloads from the viewpoint of consumption, or the compactness of the earth in agriculture, in order to vary the inflation pressure and so limit possible wear and tear.