ASTM F1046-21

Standard Guide for Preparing Artificially Worn Passenger and Light Truck Tires for Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Tires having reduced groove depth are required in some tire tests to determine changes in performance as a tire wears in service. This guide describes the preparation of artificially worn tires. This guide is not meant to replace the development of worn tires through over-the-road travel when naturally worn tires are required. Further refinements of these techniques may be made with increased field experience.  
5.2 The amount of tread rubber to be removed (groove depth reduction) and the final surface texture are selected according to the requirements of a particular testing program.  
5.3 The type of test program determines the actual tolerance necessary on the final groove depth. For example, snow traction will require very close control of the final groove depth while vehicle handling tests can accommodate a wider tolerance on the final groove depth.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide outlines the preparation of artificially worn tires by tread rubber removal (cutting or grinding, or both) for subsequent performance testing. The purpose is to permit the preparation of test tires with a uniformly reduced tread groove depth and tread geometry that will yield repeatable test results while avoiding the time-consuming and costly over-the-road natural wearing of tires.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 83.160.10 - Road vehicle tyres
• Technical Committee: F09 - Tires
• Drafting Committee: F09.20 - Vehicular Testing

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1046 −21
Standard Guide for
Preparing Artificially Worn Passenger and Light Truck Tires
1
for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1046; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This guide outlines the preparation of artificially worn 3.1 Definitions:
tires by tread rubber removal (cutting or grinding, or both) for 3.1.1 groove, n—a void that is relatively narrow compared
subsequent performance testing. The purpose is to permit the to its length. F538
preparation of test tires with a uniformly reduced tread groove
3.1.2 groove average depth [L], n—the average of all tire
depth and tread geometry that will yield repeatable test results
groove depth measurements in a single groove. F538
while avoiding the time-consuming and costly over-the-road
3.1.3 groove (void) depth, [L], n—a measurement of the
natural wearing of tires.
perpendiculardistancefromarealorcalculatedreferenceplane
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
definedbyedgesoftwoadjacentribs(lugs)tothelowestpoint
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
of contact in the groove (void). F538
only.
3.1.4 treadwear indicator, n—a raised portion of a groove
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
bottomoravoidbottomthatismoldedinatireatfairlyregular
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
intervals around the circumference to provide a visual indica-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tion that most of a tread has been worn away. F538
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.5 void, n—a volume (in the tread band) defined by the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
lack of rubber; the depth dimension of this volume may vary
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
from point to point in (on) the tread band. F538
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 4. Summary of Guide
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1 Thisguideoutlinesamethodforgroovedepthmeasure-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ment and for reduced groove depth calculation followed by
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
removal of a calculated amount of tread rubber and for final
surface grinding to obtain a smooth finish. An optional tire
2. Referenced Documents
break-in period to follow this operation is described. Tech-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: niques for photography and measurements to document the
F421Test Method for Measuring Groove andVoid Depth in final tread characteristics are described.
Passenger Car Tires
5. Significance and Use
F538Terminology Relating to Characteristics and Perfor-
5.1 Tires having reduced groove depth are required in some
mance of Tires
tire tests to determine changes in performance as a tire wears
F762Test Method for Determining Change in Groove (or
Void) Depth With Distance Traveled for Passenger Car in service. This guide describes the preparation of artificially
worn tires.This guide is not meant to replace the development
Tires
ofworntiresthroughover-the-roadtravelwhennaturallyworn
tires are required. Further refinements of these techniques may
be made with increased field experience.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F09 on Tires and is
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F09.20 on Vehicular Testing.
5.2 The amount of tread rubber to be removed (groove
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally
depth reduction) and the final surface texture are selected
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F1046–01 (2015).
according to the requirements of a particular testing program.
DOI: 10.1520/F1046-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.3 Thetypeoftestprogramdeterminestheactualtolerance
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
necessary on the final groove depth. For example, snow
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. tractionwillrequireveryclosecontrolofthefinalgroovedepth
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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...

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: F1046 − 01 (Reapproved 2015) F1046 − 21
Standard Guide for
Preparing Artificially Worn Passenger and Light Truck Tires
1
for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1046; 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 guide outlines the preparation of artificially worn tires by tread rubber removal (cutting or grinding, or both) for
subsequent performance testing. The purpose is to permit the preparation of test tires with a uniformly reduced tread groove depth
and tread geometry that will yield repeatable test results while avoiding the time-consuming and costly over-the-road natural
wearing of tires.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F421 Test Method for Measuring Groove and Void Depth in Passenger Car Tires
F538 Terminology Relating to Characteristics and Performance of Tires
F762 Test Method for Determining Change in Groove (or Void) Depth With Distance Traveled for Passenger Car Tires
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 groove, n—a void that is relatively narrow (comparedcompared to its length). length. F538
3.1.2 groove average depth [L], n—the average of all tire groove depth measurements in a single groove. F538
3.1.3 groove (void) depth, [L], n—a measurement of the perpendicular distance from a real or calculated reference plane defined
by edges of two adjacent ribs (lugs) to the lowest point of contact in the groove (void). F538
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F09 on Tires and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F09.20 on Vehicular Testing.
Current edition approved May 1, 2015Sept. 1, 2021. Published June 2015September 2021. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20082015 as
F1046 – 01 (2008).(2015). DOI: 10.1520/F1046-01R15.10.1520/F1046-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F1046 − 21
3.1.4 treadwear indicator, n—a raised portion of a groove bottom or a void bottom that is molded in a tire at fairly regular intervals
around the circumference to provide a visual indication that most of a tread has been worn away. F538
3.1.5 void, n—a volume (in the tread band) defined by the lack of rubber; the depth dimension of this volume may vary from point
to point in on(on) the tread band. F538
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 This guide outlines a method for groove depth measurement and for reduced groove depth calculation followed by removal
of a calculated amount of tread rubber and for final surface grinding to obtain a smooth finish. An optional tire break-in period
to follow this operation is described. Techniques for photography and measurements to document the final tread characteristics are
described.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Tires having reduced groove depth are required in some tire tests to determine changes in performance as a tire wears in
service. This guide describes the preparation of artificially worn tires. This guide is not meant to replace the development of worn
tires through over-the-road travel when naturally worn tires are required. Further refinements of these techniques may be made with
increased field experience.
5.2 The amount of tread rubber to be removed (gr
...