The Hindu Business Line : For a gripping run on the wet

Striking a balance between longevity and optimum wet grip has been a challenge for many a tyre manufacturer. Michelin, later this year, is launching Pilot Road 2, a tyre that seems to combine both these qualities characteristics.

NO LONGER water shy

The monsoon is upon the country, and driving is going to be made that much more difficult by the slippery, water-logged roads. Developing tyres that provide the best road grip in wet driving conditions has been the endeavour of many a manufacturer. The other big issue is ensuring that there is no impact on the tyre's longevity. So, optimising the tyre's characteristics to balance between road grip and longevity is the magic formula.

A number of factors affect the tyre's performance under wet, slippery conditions and optimising this can lead to a drop in tyre life. The factors that affect road grip include hardness of rubber, size of patch or area of tyre contact, tread pattern and the ability to avoid aquaplaning.

Aquaplaning is the thin layer of water that can form between the tyre and the road surface if the tyre pattern and construction is not capable of completely removing the water. This increases manifold the risk of slippage.

Later this year, Michelin is launching a series-produced tyre that strikes a balance between longevity and optimum wet grip. This balance was achieved using Michelin's famous MotoGP technology and its unique strategy of transferring solutions developed in competition to series-produced tyres. The innovation that is behind this achievement is the Two-Compound Technology (2CT) used in all shapes and sizes of Michelin Pilot Road 2 tyres, both front and rear.

According to Michelin, 2CT combines different rubber types on the tread surface to optimise performance in each specific zone. Used on the Michelin Pilot Road 2, this technology provides excellent traction on wet roads owing to the soft rubber on the shoulders and less wear at the tread centre where the rubber is more resistant. As a result, the new Michelin Pilot Road 2 combines qualities that were previously thought to be mutually exclusive. Its excellent grip on wet roads ensures a safe ride while its remarkable wear-resistance offers unprecedented longevity.

A series of tests carried out last year by CERM (Centre d'Essais Routiers Mécaniques) showed that the Michelin Pilot Road 2 combines these qualities very well. CERM is an independent organisation that conducts tests and surveys for the automobile and motorcycle industries.

All the tyres tested for the study were treated the same. The Michelin Pilot Road 2 was up against six competing brands. In terms of both wet grip and longevity, the Michelin Pilot Road 2 outperformed the others. Vehicles fitted with Michelin Pilot Road 2 tyres scored the fastest times on a wet track and demonstrated superior longevity vis-a-vis the other tyres.

Riders choosing the sport touring radial category of tyres — and bikes — usually have to select between superior grip and longer tyre life. The choice isn't always easy. Softer tyres offer superior grip, thereby ensuring safe riding even in difficult weather conditions, notably on wet, cold surfaces. However, soft rubber tyres wear faster than hard rubber tyres.

To last longer, tyres need to be made with tougher rubber. Hard rubber tyres have a longer lifespan and experience less wear during sudden starts and stops. The trouble is that they provide less traction than the soft rubber tyres and consequently have inferior wet grip.

Michelin's solution was to develop a tyre capable of reconciling the apparent contradiction between grip and durability — safety and wear-resistance. Thus, the characteristics of the two types of tyres described (soft and hard) are combined in the Michelin Pilot Road 2.

Two-Compound Technology

With Michelin's Two-Compound Technology, the new Michelin Pilot Road 2 model, combines soft rubber shoulders with a hard rubber tread centre.

This technology provides the Michelin Pilot Road 2 tyres with a combination of differing performance characteristics. The softer rubber compound on the shoulders delivers better grip and quick tyre warm-up. The more resistant compound on the tread centre offers greater longevity. The tread centre rubber mix was developed to guarantee high mechanical resistance, not just for longevity, but also for traction and effective braking.

Three new tread compounds

Michelin Pilot Road 2 uses three new silica-reinforced tread compounds. Developed from MotoGP rain tyres, the silica component guarantees safety and progressive responsiveness on cold, wet surfaces. The different rubber compounds used in the tread were positioned to achieve maximum tyre performance. The front tyres integrate a soft rubber compound, while the rear tyres are made with a harder compound that can withstand greater demands during acceleration. The rear tyres also have a relatively softer section, part of which is in contact with the ground even when the vehicle is fully upright. This facilitates warm-up and, consequently, grip.

Michelin Two-Compound Technology was derived directly from MotoGP racing solutions. All the major technological inventions of the past 30 years, including semi-slick, radial, silica-based and two-compound tyres, were developed by Michelin in racing before being applied to series-produced tyres.

The tread pattern and profile of the Michelin Pilot Road 2 tyres were also developed to optimise performance in wet conditions. The new pattern also follows a gradual increase in the width of the grooves running from the centre to the shoulder of the tyres to enable faster water evacuation and ensure greater contact with the ground for optimum stability during leaning and cornering.

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