ASTM F538-03

Standard Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires

SCOPE
1.1 This terminology primarily covers definitions for technical terms that occur in ASTM Committee F-9 standards on the characteristics and performance of tires.
1.2 Definitions for terms that may also be used in other technologies, such as vehicle behavior, are worded to cover both areas.
1.3 When any definition in this terminology (that does not have the limiting phrase) is quoted out of context, editorially insert the limiting phrase " in a tire" after the dash following the term. This will properly limit the field of application of the term and definition.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2003
• ICS: 01.040.83 - Rubber and plastics industries (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 83.160.01 - Tyres in general
• Technical Committee: F09 - Tires
• Drafting Committee: F09.94 - Terminology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F538-99 - Standard Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM F538-09 - Standard Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F2872-19 - Standard Specification for 225/75R16C 116/114S M+S Radial Light Truck Standard Reference Test Tire
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2779-10(2016) - Standard Practice for Commercial Radial Truck-Bus Tires to Establish Equivalent Test Severity Between a 1.707-m (67.23-in.) Diameter Roadwheel and a Flat Surface
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2869-10(2016) - Standard Practice for Radial Light Truck Tires to Establish Equivalent Test Severity Between a 1.707-m (67.23-in.) Diameter Rotating Roadwheel and a Flat Surface
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1649-20 - Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Wet Braking Traction Performance of Passenger Car Tires on Vehicles Equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F3015-21 - Standard Test Method for Accelerated Laboratory Roadwheel Generation of Belt Separation in Radial Passenger Car and Light Truck Tires through Load Range E
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1136-19 - Standard Specification for P195/75R14 Radial Standard Reference Test Tire
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F408-21 - Standard Test Method for Tires for Wet Traction in Straight-Ahead Braking, Using a Towed Trailer
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F421-15(2021) - Standard Test Method for Measuring Groove and Void Depth in Passenger Car Tires
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F3611-22e1 - Standard Specification for P225/60R16 97S Radial Low Tread Depth Standard Reference Test Tire
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1035-03(2015) - Standard Practice for Use of Rubber-Cord Pie Disk to Demonstrate the Discernment Capability of a Tire X-ray Imaging System
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2871-23 - Standard Specification for 245/70R19.5 136/134M Radial Truck Standard Reference Test Tire
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1112-06A(2018)e1 - Standard Test Method for Static Testing of Tubeless Pneumatic Tires for Rate of Loss of Inflation Pressure
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1426-20 - Standard Practice for Identifying Tire Tread Surface Irregular Wear Patterns Resulting from Tire Use
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F538–03
Standard Terminology Relating to the
1
Characteristics and Performance of Tires
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 538; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope anti-lock braking system (ABS), n—a collection of sensing
and control hardware installed on a vehicle to prevent wheel
1.1 This terminology primarily covers definitions for tech-
lock-up during brake application. F 1649
nical terms that occur in ASTM Committee F09 standards on
average tire tread depth [L], n—the average of all tire groove
the characteristics and performance of tires.
(void) depth measurements. F 1016
1.2 Definitions for terms that may also be used in other
axle efficiency [nd], n—in a vehicle, the ratio of the sum of the
technologies, such as vehicle behavior, are worded to cover
wheel torques at the driven wheels to the product of
both areas.
driveshaft torque and axle ratio.
1.3 When any definition in this terminology (that does not
balancing, n—a process to correct for heavy or light areas of
have the limiting phrase) is quoted out of context, editorially
a tire and wheel assembly. F 1922
insert the limiting phrase in a tire after the dash following the
bandwidth [1/ T], n—the range of frequencies within which
term. This will properly limit the field of application of the
certain performance characteristics occur; specific limits
term and definition.
normally apply. F811
2. Terminology
bead, n—of a tire, the part of a tire that comes in contact with
the rim and is shaped to secure the tire to the rim. F 1922,
2.1 Definitions:
F 1923
accelerometer, n—an instrument that senses inertial reaction
bead separation, n—a breakdown of bond between tire
to measure linear or angular acceleration. F811
components in the bead area. F 1922
accuracy, n—a measurement concept that describes the degree
belt, n—in a tire, a breaker that substantially restricts the
of correspondence between an average measured value and
carcass in a circumferential direction. F 1922, F 1923
an accepted reference or standard value for the object,
belt separation, n—a breakdown of bonding between the belts
material or phenomenon under test. F 1082
or plies or tread, or combination thereof. F 1922
aligning stiffness[FL/g], n—of a tire,therateofchangeoftire
bias, n—the difference between the average measured test
aligning torque with respect to change in tire slip angle,
result and the accepted reference value; it measures in an
usually evaluated at zero slip angle.
inverse manner the accuracy of a test. F 1082
aligning stiffness coefficient, n—of a tire, the ratio of tire
black sidewall, n—a sidewall on which only black compounds
aligning stiffness to the tire normal force.
comprise the outer visible surface of the tire. F 724
aligning torque [FL], n—of a tire, the component of a tire
block, n—synonym for element. F 1426
moment vector tending to rotate a tire about the Z8-axis,
bottom out, v—to deform a tire by radial load on the tread
positive clockwise when looking in the positive direction of
until radial movement of the inside surface is stopped by the
the Z8-axis. F 403, F 424
rim or other tire inside surface. F 414
alignment, n—the adjustment of various parts of the vehicle’s
braking coefficient [nd], n—the ratio of the braking force to
suspension system to ensure proper handling stability and to
the normal force on a tire.
minimize abnormal tire treadwear. F 1922
braking force [F], n—of a tire, the negative longitudinal force
analysis, n—an act of inspecting the S/H image and associat-
resulting from braking torque application. F 403, F 408
ing this image with a known calibration reference. F 1364
braking force coefficient, n—of a tire, the ratio of braking
anomaly, n—a change in the strain pattern of the rubber
force to normal force. F 403, F 408
surface of a straining block as a result of applied stress
braking force coefficient, peak, n—of a tire, the maximum
brought about through a change in atmospheric pressure on
value of tire braking force coefficient that occurs prior to
the rubber surface. F 1364
wheel lockup as the braking torque is progressively in-
creased. F 403, F 408
1 braking force coefficient, slide, n—of a tire, the value of
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F09 on Tires
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F09.94 on Terminology. braking force coefficient obtained on a locked wheel.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as F 538 – 99.
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