Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods for characterizing a multi-layered tire tread. In one example, a method comprises providing a first rubber composition having a first refractive index and providing a second rubber composition having a second refractive index. The method further comprises determining a difference between the first refractive index and the second refractive index and comparing the difference to a threshold refractive index. In addition, the method comprises adding a refractive index modifier to the first rubber composition and/or second rubber composition in case the comparison provides that the difference is lower than the threshold refractive index, so that the difference is greater than, or equal to, the threshold refractive index.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a tire tread production line and a method for manufacturing a tire tread. The production line comprises a coextruder, a THz sensor and a controller operatively connected to the coextruder and to the THz sensor. The THz sensor is configured to irradiate the multi-layer tire tread extrudate with THz electromagnetic radiation, and receive a response of the multi-layer tire tread extrudate to the THz electromagnetic radiation. The controller is configured to operate the coextruder based on the response of the multi-layer tire tread extrudate to the THz electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods for characterizing a multi-layered tire tread. In one example, a method comprises providing a first rubber composition having a first refractive index and providing a second rubber composition having a second refractive index. The method further comprises determining a difference between the first refractive index and the second refractive index and comparing the difference to a threshold refractive index. In addition, the method comprises adding a refractive index modifier to the first rubber composition and/or second rubber composition in case the comparison provides that the difference is lower than the threshold refractive index, so that the difference is greater than, or equal to, the threshold refractive index.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring a thickness of each layer of a tire tread or a tire component, wherein the tire tread or tire component has conductive and non-conductive layers. One or more sensors are used, which emit radiation beams or pulses that travel through one or more of the layers. The radiation beams or pulses are reflected from the surfaces and interfaces of the layers and received by a receiving device of the one or more sensors. The reflected radiation beams or pulses are used to determine a thickness of each tread layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to tire tread wear monitoring. A sacrificial magnet portion is arranged in a tread of the tire so that it undergoes wear along with the tread and generates a useful magnetic field signal indicative of remaining tread thickness. With a magnetic field sensor arranged on or in the tire, an overall magnetic field signal is measured, which includes the useful magnetic field signal, and a superimposed interfering magnetic field signal generated by magnetizable material contained in the tire. A non-sacrificial magnet portion is used to saturate the magnetizable material at least locally so as to make the interfering magnetic field signal sensed by the magnetic field sensor substantially independent of the useful magnetic field signal sensed by the magnetic field sensor. Further aspects of the invention relate to tires, e.g., vehicle tires, featuring a tire tread wear monitoring system.