Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/87831
A CLOSER LOOK Ecopia tire line This 2013 Volvo 670 that sports DuPont's gleaming Glacier White color scheme. By Todd Dills T he new Ecopia, with different models available for each position and in Greatec wide singles, delivers what Bridgestone says is a solid blend of fuel efficiency and long casing life. The company is mar- keting the Ecopia with its companion line of Bandag FuelTech retreads as a way to extend those efficiency and lifespan qualities. Retreads also have less impact on the environment because they require only one- third as much oil to produce as a new tire. Bridgestone Engineering Director Guy Walenga explains below what makes the Ecopia line special, with a look at the M710 Ecopia drive tire: High-rigidity tread pattern Nano Pro-Tech compounding The Ecopia is made with a proprietary combina- tion of 14 or more rubber compounds. Engineers have dispersed carbon black throughout the rubber compound in a more orderly fashion to mitigate excess heat for long life and to increase fuel efficiency. Carbon black is used as a rein- forcement agent in all manner of rubber prod- ucts where stiffness and durability are crucial. Various types of carbon black are produced by the partial combus- tion of tar and other of heavy petroleum-based substances or charring organic materials like wood. Intellishape sidewall Engineers changed the shape of the sidewall just above the bead, cutting about 3 pounds per tire. With all Ecopia Greatec models, the ply is wound around the bead, increasing casing durability and decreas- ing rolling resistance. 38 | Overdrive | November 2012 The tread blocks are arranged in a graduated pattern to main- tain a smooth load transfer. Small blocks between the tread blocks mitigate squirm when the tire is new. This enhances rolling resistance from the start, boosting fuel efficiency. Fuel-saver sidewall The casing accounts for 50 to 60 percent of a tire's rolling resistance. Engineers changed the sidewall rubber of the casing to reduce that resis- tance and increase fuel economy. Traditional properties of the sidewall, such as protection from the cracking that can result from the chemi- cal reaction of ozone gas and compounds in the tire, were retained. Brigestone