Why Are Car Tires Black? Learn Some Interesting Facts!
The motor vehicles are available in all sorts of colors. But, why are car tires black, always? It is such a common phenomenon that we don’t even blink an eye to the fact that all the car tires these days have the generic black color.
Do you know when the first rubber car tires were invented? In 1895 and they were white! In fact, the natural color of rubber is milky white. Plus, rubber and plastic products can be made in virtually any color because it requires nothing more than adding the correct dye or chemical pigment during the manufacturing. Then, why don’t we see color tires for cars?
Why Are Car Tires Black? The Practical Reasons
Colored tires are not an outright rare species. You can purchase them but they are not suitable for daily driving. The car tires have good reasons to be black instead of other colors.
Carbon Black
The chemical compound is the primary reason for the back color of the tires. It is a stabilizing chemical that is mixed with other polymers to produce the tire’s tread. It significantly prolongs the lifespan of the tires and protects them from the corrosive effects of ozone. Not to mention that carbon black also absorbs and UV rays that ultimately transform into heat and damage the tires by frequent expansions and contractions.
The tread and belt areas of a tire become hot at the time of driving. The carbon black absorbs that heat quickly and returns it to the road, protecting those areas. As a result, the tires offer a more reliable drive because this element makes them stronger and more long-lasting than tires without the carbon black.
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Black Color Absorbs Heat Well
It is another good reason for why are car tires black. Not only the carbon black, but the color black itself is a good absorber of heat and sunlight. It keeps the wear and tear significantly lower than tires of other colors. The black tires enjoy minimal damage and an enhanced lifespan, making them a more practical option for the automobiles. As the black tires tend to wear out very slowly, your car will offer better handling, precise braking, superior acceleration, and excellent ride comfort.
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Maintenance
The black tires are boring but they are easy to clean and maintain. It is possible to manufacture white tires by adding zinc oxide or titanium dioxide but they have a short lifespan and tend to get dirty pretty easily. Also, they will get darken over time upon being exposed to an environment that contains a moderate to high amount of Sulphur in the air. You may see white tires in some deluxe, classic models but black as the default tire color makes more practical sense.
So, why are car tires black? It is because the tires are there to add to the performance and functionality of the vehicles, not to enhance their beauty. Of course, you can make them attractive any time by painting the rims and hubcaps.
