INRTU and Cordiant Holding Join Forces to Develop Domestic Tire Testing Equipment
The Department of Road Transport at INRTU (Irkutsk National Research Technical University) and the Intire Research and Development Centre (part of the Cordiant Holding) will create the first domestic test bench for measuring the friction force between a tire and road surface by 2027. The results of tests conducted with this innovative, compact equipment will be used in the production of more reliable tires, enhancing safety for drivers and passengers.
According to Associate Professor Oleg Yankov, the bench's functionality surpasses that of similar foreign installations. The equipment being assembled at INRTU is non-stationary, making it more accessible to clients.
“We have also developed a new system for measuring the parameters that characterize the friction process. The bench's design incorporates the capability to study the friction coefficient of an automotive tire fragment moving across an icy surface.
Unlike its counterparts, our equipment will be intended for use in design bureaus and factories that design and manufacture modern tires,”
noted Oleg Yankov.
Irkutsk engineers will carry out experimental and analytical research. They will develop and test the bench with its measurement and control systems and validate the coating for the supporting surface. INRTU specialists will devise a methodology for calculating the tire-road friction coefficient, taking into account the vehicle's speed and the applied load.
The management of JSC Cordiant emphasizes the necessity of this development, which directly impacts vehicle handling and stability. The creation of the test bench at INRTU will mark a new stage in the cooperation between the university and the holding company, unlocking significant technical potential for the industry.
“Productive joint work will help us take another step towards improving the reliability and safety of the tires we produce,” commented Vadim Volodin, General Director of JSC Cordiant.Reference:
JSC Cordiant is one of Russia's largest manufacturers of tires for passenger and commercial vehicles. The enterprise's history began in 1932 with a plant in Yaroslavl. The holding now unites several companies, including the Intire Research and Development Centre, which is responsible for developing and modernizing tires.
