Wheel rim coatings to heat the tyres

As previously known, recent infrared thermal images show the true effectiveness of rim coatings that control tire temperature. This coating was taken on a Mercedes Avanti wheel for the first time with a dent inside the rim. Later, Red Bull admitted that it used a similar treatment for OZ Racing wheels. However, in their case, they made a groove instead of a recess inside the wheel. On the other hand, Ferrari is also said to have coated the wheels of OZ Racing.

Also recently, a black coating has been found near Sassuolo, Italy.NanopromProductsPolysilIt turned out to be. It is a solvent-based paint containing silicone polymers and is primarily designed to protect all types of materials against surface friction. This product is typically sprayed to form a thin film of a few microns until it reaches a hardness of 9H. This product fills the small gaps in the imperfect surface of the wheel, resulting in a very smooth surface and may also help control turbulence in the wheel.

However, the team is interested in the black color of this product. This is because the rim helps to draw the exhaust heat of the brakes from the rim into the magnesium alloy wheels. The rim itself has a very high thermal conductivity, so when heat is transferred to the metal, it quickly diffuses throughout the body. Another part is transmitted to the tire through the tire bead. As a result, the team can keep the tires at a more constant temperature and suppress a sharp drop in tire temperature even when running long straights. Proper warming of the rim keeps the tire wall warm and prevents the tire from suddenly cooling. Ultimately, the tires do not cool as compared to untreated tires, resulting in higher grip during turn-in.

The infrared thermal image in the figure shows how well this process works in Red Bubble Racing. These three images were taken from the dashcam of Sebastian Vettel's machine during Q1 of the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. The first one was the approach to turn 19, the second was the turn-in point on turn 19, and the third was taken at the end of the pit straight, before braking. All three images show that the rims are relatively hot and the tires are still warm across the tread width, even at the end of the straight. Similar images of Mercedes are similar, but the effect is less pronounced. It was also suggested that the Ferrari wheels seen with the infrared camera were not warm and were cooler than the other teams.

It's still unclear what the operating temperature of the new "conservative" Pirelli tires will be, but it's likely that the technology will continue to be used in 2014. In addition, Nanoprom mentions the possibility of using coatings on composites and compounds, and it is almost certain that they will also be used in engine parts.

[Source: blog.livedoor.jp]