If you've ever noticed a car's tires, you've probably noticed that they have little rubber hairs on their surface. These little hairs are known as “sipes” and are an important feature of modern tires. But why are they there and what is their function?
Sipes are small incisions in the surface of the tire that create a series of small blocks of rubber independent on the tread. They can be found in winter tires, rain tires and even performance tires for sports cars.
Here are some of the reasons tires have sipes:
Improved traction on wet or icy surfaces
One of the main purposes of sipes is to improve tire grip on wet or icy surfaces. When the road surface is wet or icy, water or ice can form a layer between the tire and the asphalt, reducing tire traction. Sipes help break up this layer of water or ice, allowing the tire to maintain a better grip on the road surface.
Reducing the risk of hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is a dangerous phenomenon in which the tire loses contact with the road due to a layer of water between the tire and the asphalt. Sipes help reduce the risk of hydroplaning by allowing water to be expelled from the tire tread.
Improved cornering stability
The sipes also help to improve the stability of the tires when cornering. When a tire is cornering, it needs to be able to adapt to changes in the road surface in order to maintain grip. Sipes allow the small blocks of rubber in the tire tread to flex and move independently of each other, helping to maintain constant grip.
Reduction of tire wear
Sipes also help reduce tire wear by distributing pressure and heat evenly across the tread. This can help extend the life of your tires.
In practice, sipes are an important feature of modern tires that help to improve the grip, stability and durability of the tires. If you're considering buying new tires for your car, it's important to check that they have sipes, especially if you frequently drive in wet or icy conditions.
