Cooper Glossary

Air Pressure Force exerted by air within tire, expressed in pounds per inch.

Anchored Beads Ply and flipper construction which locks beads in place in the tire. Rubber-coated cord fabric is wrapped around high tensile strength steel wire, which has been insulated with rubber. The ends of the fabric, which are several inches in length, are then carried far up into the sidewall of the carcass and locked in by the plies when the tire is vulcanised.

Aspect Ratio A numerical term which expresses the relationship between the standing height of the tire and the cross section width. (Aspect Ratio of 70 means the tire section stands approximately 70 percent as high as it is wide between the sidewall.)

Bead That part of the tire that is shaped to fit the rim. Made of high tensile steel wires that are wrapped in woven fabric and then held by the plies.

Carrying Capacity Maximum rated tire load for a given inflation pressure as established by the Tire and Rim Association.

Chafer Reinforcing fabric and rubber around the bead in the rim flange area to prevent chafing of the tire by rim parts.

Cord The twisted fibre or filament of polyester, rayon, nylon or steel which gives the tire carcass and belts strength.

Inner Liner The layer of rubber which is laminated to the inside of a tubeless tire to insure the air retention quality of the tire body.

Load Carrying Capacity Maximum load for which tire is designed under standard conditions.

Load Range A system of designations, which identifies the carrying capacity range of a tire. These markings shown on the tire indicate the ply rating established for the tire. Passenger tire designations are B (4-Ply rating), C (6-Ply Rating) and D (8-Ply rating). This system was established by the Rubber Manufacturers' Association and is used on all American-made tires. Replaces ply rating.

O.D. (Outside Diameter) Measurement of tire when inflated and mounted on rim.

Ply Layer of rubber-coated parallel cords forming unit of tire carcass.

Polyester Cord A synthetic fibre that excels in maintaining strength properties at high heat levels, and eliminates flat spotting.

Radial Ply A tire with cords running radically from bead to bead (90 degrees to centreline of the tire).

Rayon An artificial fibre made from cotton or wood pulp by chemical process.

Revolutions Per Mile (R.P.M.) The number of revolutions that the mounted tired will make in one mile, at rated load and inflation.

Rolling Resistance The resistance of a tire to free rolling.

Section Width Measurement of distance through cross sectional width of a tire at widest part, exclusive of scuffing rib when inflated to normal pressure and not under load.

Shoulder Out edges of tread.

Sipe To cut across a tire tread to produce biting traction edges.

Speed Rating A speed designation of S, T, H, V or Z shown in the size marking of some tires.

Stability Ability of tires to maintain direction of vehicle on curve without causing excessive sway.

Tread Depth The distance in thirty seconds of an inch measured from the tread surface to the bottom of the grooves in a tire.

Tread Design The pattern of the tread area.

Tread Elements The parts of the tread design, which are separated from each other and made distinct by the sipes and rib or lug designs, moulded into the tire.

Tread Life Length of service in miles before tread wears out.

Tread Wear Indicators Narrow bars of rubber moulded at a height of 2/32" across the bottom of the tread grooves. When the tread wears down to these bars, the tire should be replaced.

Underinflation Tire having less than recommended air pressure for the load being carried.

Weather Checking Fine hairline cracks in surface of rubber, caused by oxidation and other atmospheric effects.

Radial Tires Body cords run across the tire perpendicularly to the beads. Radial tires have belt plies, which run circumferentially around the tire under the tread to stabilize the tread and strengthen the tread area. By restricting tread movement during contact with the road, the belt plies improve tread life.

Diagonal (Bias) Tires Have two, four or more body plies, which cross at an angle to the centre line of the tread, to strengthen both the sidewall and the tread.

Belted Bias Tires Have a body similar to that of bias tires, plus two or more belts under the tread to strengthen and stabilize the tread. The belts improve tread life by reducing tread movement during contact without the road.

Wheel Diameter The diameter of the wheel in inches.