If you’ve ever noticed small rubber spikes sticking out from your car or bike tires, you might have wondered about their purpose. Often mistaken for imperfections, these rubber protrusions are actually a key feature called vent spikes, designed to improve your tires’ safety and performance.
What Are Vent Spikes?
Vent spikes are small rubber extensions left on tires after the manufacturing process. These features may seem insignificant, but they serve critical roles, both during production and in ensuring tire quality.
The Purpose of Vent Spikes
Essential in Tire Manufacturing
During the tire molding process, liquid rubber is injected into a mold to create the tire’s shape and tread patterns. Tiny holes in the mold, called “vent holes,” allow trapped air and excess material to escape, ensuring the rubber fills every groove evenly. Vent spikes are the remnants of rubber that seep through these holes, marking a properly molded tire.
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