ASTM F538-09

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 F09 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: 14-Jun-2009
• 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 F538-03 - Standard Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F414-21 - Standard Test Method for Energy Absorbed by a Tire When Deformed by Slow-Moving Plunger
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F2838-17 - Standard Practice for Accelerated Laboratory Aging of Radial Passenger Car and Light Truck Tires through Load Range E for the Laboratory Generation of Belt Separation
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F1923-21 - Standard Test Method for Tires, Pneumatic, Low Speed, Off Highway
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6700-19 - Standard Guide for Use of Scrap Tires as Tire-Derived Fuel
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• 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: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F762/F762M-08(2020)e1 - Standard Test Method for Determining Change in Groove (or Void) Depth With Distance Traveled for Passenger Car Tires
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F1971-12(2018) - Standard Test Method for Electrical Resistance of Tires Under Load On the Test Bench
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F559-05(2017) - Standard Test Method for Measuring Length of Road Test Courses Using a Fifth Wheel
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F551/F551M-16(2022) - Standard Practice for Using a 1.707-m [67.23-in.] Diameter Laboratory Test Roadwheel in Testing Tires
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F1046-21 - Standard Guide for Preparing Artificially Worn Passenger and Light Truck Tires for Testing
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F1650-21 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Tire Traction Performance Data Under Varying Test Conditions
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F408-21 - Standard Test Method for Tires for Wet Traction in Straight-Ahead Braking, Using a Towed Trailer
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• 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: 15-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F870-23 - Standard Practice for Tread Footprints of Passenger Car Tires Groove Area Fraction and Dimensional Measurements
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009

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 − 09
StandardTerminology Relating to the
1
Characteristics and Performance of Tires
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF538;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope round performance and which may meet the Rubber Manu-
facturers Association (RMA) definition for an M&S, M+S,
1.1 This terminology primarily covers definitions for tech-
M/S, MS, etc. marked tire (see RMA“Snow Tire Definitions
nical terms that occur in ASTM Committee F09 standards on
for Passenger and Light Truck (LT) Tires”). E1136, F2493
the characteristics and performance of tires.
analysis, n—anactofinspectingtheS/Himageandassociating
1.2 Definitions for terms that may also be used in other
this image with a known calibration reference. F1364
technologies, such as vehicle behavior, are worded to cover
both areas.
anomaly, n—a change in the strain pattern of the rubber
1.3 When any definition in this terminology (that does not surface of a straining block as a result of applied stress
brought about through a change in atmospheric pressure on
have the limiting phrase) is quoted out of context, editorially
insert the limiting phrase in a tire after the dash following the the rubber surface. F1364
term. This will properly limit the field of application of the
anti-lock braking system (ABS), n—a collection of sensing
term and definition.
and control hardware installed on a vehicle to prevent wheel
lock-up during brake application. F1649
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions: average tire tread depth [L], n—the average of all tire groove
accelerometer, n—aninstrumentthatsensesinertialreactionto (void) depth measurements. F1016
measure linear or angular acceleration. F811
axle efficiency [nd], n—in a vehicle, the ratio of the sum of the
accuracy, n—a measurement concept that describes the degree wheel torques at the driven wheels to the product of
driveshaft torque and axle ratio.
of correspondence between an average measured value and
an accepted reference or standard value for the object,
balancing, n—a process to correct for heavy or light areas of
material or phenomenon under test. F1082
a tire and wheel assembly. F1922
aligning stiffness [FL/γ], n—of a tire, the rate of change of tire
bandwidth [1/ T], n—the range of frequencies within which
aligning torque with respect to change in tire slip angle,
certain performance characteristics occur; specific limits
usually evaluated at zero slip angle.
normally apply. F811
aligning stiffness coefficient, n—of a tire, the ratio of tire
bead, n—of a tire, the part of a tire that comes in contact with
aligning stiffness to the tire normal force.
the rim and is shaped to secure the tire to the rim. F1922,
F1923, F2663
aligning torque [FL], n—of a tire, the component of a tire
moment vector tending to rotate a tire about the Z`-axis,
bead separation, n—a breakdown of bond between tire
positive clockwise when looking in the positive direction of
components in the bead area. F1922
the Z`-axis. F403, F424
bead unseating block, n—machined block of cast aluminum
alignment, n—the adjustment of various parts of the vehicle’s
(also known as “shoe”) used on the bead unseating fixture to
suspension system to ensure proper handling stability and to
press against the tire sidewall. F2663
minimize abnormal tire treadwear. F1922
belt, n—in a tire, a breaker that substantially restricts the
all-season tread, n—tread design providing dry, wet, and snow
carcass in a circumferential direction. F1922, F1923
traction performance for an optimized balance for year-
belt separation, n—a breakdown of bonding between the belts
or plies or tread, or combination thereof. F1922
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F09 on Tires
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F09.94 on Terminology.
bias, n—the difference between the average measured test
Current edition approved June 15, 2009. Published July 2009. Originally
result and the accepted reference value; it measures in an
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F538 – 03. DOI:
10.1520/F0538-09. inverse manner the accuracy of a test. F1082
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F538 − 09
black sidewall, n—a sidewall on which only black compounds center of tire contact, n—the intersection of the wheel plane
comprise the outer visible surface of the tire. F724 and the vertical projection of the spin axis of a wheel onto
the road plane.
block, n—synonym for element. F1426
cente
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:F538–03 Designation: F 538 – 09
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
1.1 This terminology primarily covers definitions for technical terms that occur in ASTM Committee F09 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.
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions:
accelerometer, n—an instrument that senses inertial reaction to measure linear or angular acceleration. F811
accuracy, n—a measurement concept that describes the degree of correspondence between an average measured value and an
accepted reference or standard value for the object, material or phenomenon under test. F 1082
aligning stiffness [ FL/g], n—of a tire, the rate of change of tire aligning torque with respect to change in tire slip angle, usually
evaluated at zero slip angle.
aligning stiffness coefficient, n—of a tire, the ratio of tire aligning stiffness to the tire normal force.
aligning torque [ FL], n—of a tire, the component of a tire moment vector tending to rotate a tire about the Z8-axis, positive
clockwise when looking in the positive direction of the Z8-axis. F 403, F 424
alignment, n—the adjustment of various parts of the vehicle’s suspension system to ensure proper handling stability and to
minimize abnormal tire treadwear. F 1922
all-season tread, n—tread design providing dry, wet, and snow traction performance for an optimized balance for year-round
performance and which may meet the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) definition for an M&S, M+S, M/S, MS, etc.
marked tire (see RMA “Snow Tire Definitions for Passenger and Light Truck (LT) Tires”). E 1136, F 2493
analysis, n—an act of inspecting the S/H image and associating this image with a known calibration reference. F 1364
anomaly, n—a change in the strain pattern of the rubber surface of a straining block as a result of applied stress brought about
through a change in atmospheric pressure on the rubber surface. F 1364
anti-lock braking system (ABS), n— a collection of sensing and control hardware installed on a vehicle to prevent wheel lock-up
during brake application. F 1649
average tire tread depth [L], n—the average of all tire groove (void) depth measurements. F 1016
axle efficiency [ nd], n—in a vehicle, the ratio of the sum of the wheel torques at the driven wheels to the product of driveshaft
torque and axle ratio.
balancing, n—a process to correct for heavy or light areas of a tire and wheel assembly. F 1922
bandwidth [1/ T], n—the range of frequencies within which certain performance characteristics occur; specific limits normally
apply. F811
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. F1922,
F1923 F 1922, F 1923, F 2663
bead separation, n—a breakdown of bond between tire components in the bead area. F 1922
bead unseating block, n—machined block of cast aluminum (also known as “shoe”) used on the bead unseating fixture to press
against the tire sidewall. F 2663
belt, n—in a tire , a breaker that substantially restricts the carcass in a circumferential direction. F 1922, F 1923
belt separation, n—a breakdown of bonding between the belts or plies or tread, or combination thereof. F 1922
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F09 on Tires and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F09.94 on Terminology.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as F538–99.
Current edition approved June 15, 2009. Published July 2009. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F 538 – 03.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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