Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/34501
BRAKE HEAT OVERVIEW Brake temperatures on trucks often reach very high Brake Lock on Ice temperatures. Brake drums can reach temperatures of 600° F or more and are in very close proximity to the wheels. This heat can be easily transferred to the wheels and tires. Brake drum heat is transferred to the wheel primarily through radiation and convection. The hot brake drum radiates heat in all directions to the wheel. In addition, the drum heats the air between the drum and the wheel. The heated air rises and transfers additional heat energy to the wheel through convection. Much of the heat is transferred to the wheel in the bead mounting area due to its close proximity to the brake drum. The wheel then directly conducts heat to the tire bead resulting in elevated temperatures in the tire bead area. Excessive bead heat can affect tire life in many truck tire applications. Vehicles in urban and refuse service are most commonly associated with bead heat issues, but any application that experiences hard braking can be affected. Brake Lock on Grooved Payment Duals – Close to Brake Drum CASING LIFE vs BEAD TEMPERATURE 400 350 300 250 200 150 1 10 100 Casing Life (hr) Section Three: Extending Tire Life 57 1,000 10,000 Bead Temperature (F)