Radial tyres: advantages and disadvantages

Radial tires were invented by Michelin and began to go on sale in 1946.

The invention of this type of tyre has had a particular impact on many sectors of
activity, but most of all on the agricultural sector.
Radial tyres are mainly used in the agro-industrial sector, where they have
determined a continuous evolution of the techniques applied.
Tyres are divided into two categories depending on the design, namely
radial tyres and diagonal tyres or BIAS. The difference between the two types is
given by the way in which the rubber layers overlap.
In the case of a radial tyre, the deposition is radial and starts from the middle of
the tyre or at an angle of 90 degrees compared to the direction of travel. Unlike
radial tyres, in diagonal tyres, the arrangement of the layers is diagonal. The
layers make a overlapping, crossed pattern, the angulations determined by their
meeting being between 30 - 40 degrees.

What are the advantages of a radial tyre?

When we have to choose between radial or diagonal tyres, it is good to

know what are the main advantages but also specific disadvantages. Radial tyres
have many advantages, of which we can list:

Flexible flanks

Flank flexibility allows for increased comfort during running

Low fuel consumption

 Low consumption is due to the ease of transfer from the engine to the ground
of the developed energy

Increased energy transfer from engine to tread

Increased resistance to damage to the striations

Generates a smaller amount of heat, even if the car is moving at increased speed
Provides increased traction
Determines a lower level of vibration
It causes a low degree of compaction and damage at the tread level
The tyre is flexible but at the same time particularly strong
It is able to absorb shocks, bumps or bumps to an increased degree compared to
diagonal tyres
There’s a high degree of comfort for passengers thanks to the flanks. These
flanks, through their flexibility, allow to achieve an increased degree of stability
but also maximum contact between the surface of the tyre and the road
They are made in such a way that the vehicles on which they are installed can
withstand much higher load loads
Allow the costs needed to be reduced for possible replacement due to easier
maintenance and a significantly higher lifespan
As a result of allowing better handling of the car and lower rolling resistance,
they allow for lower fuel consumption

Lower maintenance costs

Disadvantages of radial tyres
Even if there are less disadvantages compared to the described advantages,
radial tyres may as well have some disadvantages. The most notable might be:
They have a steel belt/band that does not function so well if the roadway is
provided with small bumps
Tyre flanks, being flexible, show a certain degree of vulnerability when they
come into contact with the curbs
They’re much noisy when running because their streaks are of a higher hardness
Can we consider radial tyres to be more advantageous?
If we compare a radial tyre with a diagonal one, obviously the radial tyre
will be more indicated because it has superior aspects in terms of safety and
flexibility.
But even if we refer to the increased resistance and their ability to absorb
shocks, the choice will remain the same. Although more expensive, radial tyres
are more cost-effective in the long run.
We have to take into account this particularly important aspect because it will
save us a lot of unnecessary problems and expenses. Moreover, these tyres
contribute to lower fuel consumption, allow low road damage and have low
rolling resistance. In terms of design, tyres of this type allow a long use, which
leads to a lower replacement cost.