Ever wondered what those little pieces of rubber coming from the sidewall or tread of the tire are? Many people call them “tire whiskers.” The technical term for them is “vent spews,” a byproduct of the tire manufacturing process. Vent holes in the tire molds create these spews.
Purpose of Vent Holes:
In a previous Fun Fact, we discussed the manufacturing process of tires, specifically the curing process. The curing process involves applying heat and pressure to the green tire in a mold, which vulcanizes the rubber and shapes it into its final form.
If air becomes trapped between the tire and the mold, it can lead to issues such as bubbles, uneven curing, or tire deformation. Vent holes allow this trapped air to escape, ensuring a smooth and uniform curing process.
These vents play a crucial role in maintaining proper tire shape and preventing the formation of air pockets. As the air escapes through the vents, rubber can form small whiskers or spews on the tire’s surface, particularly on the sidewalls.
It’s important to note that these vent spews are a natural byproduct of the manufacturing process and serve no functional purpose once the tire is finished.