During the development of the Nokian RockProof summer tire, the Finnish manufacturer focused on the requirements of American car enthusiasts for All Terrain category models. These requirements are due to the characteristics of dirt roads, among which rocky ones predominate. To provide maximum performance on them, the developers had to apply several different technical solutions than before, which is why this model turned out to be a fairly specific tire product focused on certain operating conditions.
Block design
The specificity of the tire can be fully felt by looking at its tread pattern. It is made in an open design that contains many separate blocks. Each of these elements has a complex shape with many angles and faces. In addition, the mobility of the blocks is significantly limited, and not only by their massive size. At their base, there are special protrusions that help maintain a vertical position when in contact with uneven rocky terrain. In this regard, it is impossible not to note the scheme of block arrangement, which, in combination with their shape, increases the contact patch area and also levels the pressure across its entire surface. This significantly improves traction, wear resistance, and impact resistance of the tread.
"Stone ejectors"
Some solutions were borrowed from truck tires, such as special protrusions on the bottom of drainage grooves. They prevent stones from getting stuck in the tread, which protects the tread from damage, thereby increasing reliability when driving off-road. It is also worth noting the physical properties of the rubber compound, such as elasticity and density. The tread not only dampens shocks from irregularities but is also virtually resistant to punctures and cuts.
Reinforced sidewalls
The rubber compound used in the manufacture of sidewalls has some differences from the composition used in the tread. It contains aramid fibers, a material that is very light and at the same time resistant to mechanical stress, rivaling steel in strength. This solution provides the sidewalls with effective protection against punctures and cuts, which increases the service life of the tire, especially on rocky off-road terrain. In addition, the lateral surface of the tire contains a large number of protrusions that are a continuation of the blocks of the shoulder zones. In addition to the protective function, these elements provide additional passability on dirt roads with low bearing capacity.
Improved traction on wet pavement
Numerous drainage grooves are far from the only solution that provides the tire with improved traction on wet pavement. Finnish specialists have equipped the blocks with special micro-pumps - voids having the shape of a vessel. When in contact with the road surface, they additionally dry the contact patch, sucking water off the surface.
Key features of the Nokian RockProof summer tire
- the tire is designed for use on rocky dirt roads;
- blocks of complex polygonal shape improve traction and wear resistance;
- sidewalls are protected by a compound reinforced with aramid fibers and special protrusions of the shoulder zone blocks;
- excellent efficiency on wet pavement is ensured by the open tread design and special micro-pumps in the blocks, which additionally dry the contact patch.
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