IV - THE MAIN PROBLEMS rubber breakdown in the cold - Track specificities

The fundamentals All rubber compounds used in tyres have performance windows that fall within a range of temperatures. There is a low temperature threshold from which the rubber loses elasticity and becomes brittle. This can be as low as -55°C for some rubber compounds. This is called the breaking point. There is also a high temperature threshold from which the rubber becomes pasty/viscous. This is generally above 200°C. It is called the reversion point.

The vast majority of our tyres operate within these thermal limits without impediment.

Supersport and competition tyres In competition and hypersport tyres, the very high temperatures encountered (related to the very high levels of grip) require a specific blend of tyre compounds to withstand them. One consequence of this is that these soft compound tyres have a break point of as high as 15°C. Handling these tyres at this temperature or lower may result in the tread or other area of rubber on the tyre literally breaking. Care must therefore be taken to store the tyres in appropriate conditions which avoid these temperatures. If this occurs, the tyres should not be handled at all.

Warning: Rubber breakdown in the cold can appear inside the

tyre only and so remain invisible. It can manifest itself as one small crack

or many larger cracks all around the tyre.

MICHELIN Power Performance

MICHELIN Power Slick ²

MICHELIN Power CUP ²

MICHELIN Power CUP EVO

MICHELIN Power GP

MICHELIN Power 5

MICHELIN Power Supermoto rain

MICHELIN Power RAIN

Manutention, transport, storage

Never handle the tyre at a temperature below 10°C in order to prevent damage to

the tyre.

Never handle the tyre at a temperature below 5°C in order to prevent damage to the tyre.

Never handle the tyre at a temperature below -10°C in order to prevent damage to the tyre.

Mounting and dismounting

Before fitting and unfitting, the tyre should have been stored for at least 24h at a temperature greater than

15°C.

Before fitting and unfitting, the tyre should have been stored for at least 24h at a temperature

greater than 10°c.

Technical data

MICHELIN 2wheel - 178