Numerical investigation of mold filling in vulcanizing of green tire using finite element method

Abstract The present study investigates the mold‐filling problem during the curing and shaping of green tires using finite element simulation. A novel optimization method for designing air vents in tire molds based on gas flow fields is proposed. The research focuses on addressing the air accumulation issue in the tire molding process to ensure the quality and efficiency of the curing and molding. Additionally, the study thoroughly analyzes the impact of key factors such as shear heat generation, temperature variation, dynamic viscosity, and degree of curing on the quality of tire shaping. Experimental validation and simulation improvement were carried out by making a resin model. Compared with the traditional design scheme, the new design scheme effectively reduces the number of exhaust holes (by 81.2%) while meeting the exhaust requirements. This study addresses the air accumulation problem in tire molding, offering theoretical and practical guidance to improve mold design and production efficiency. Highlights The influence of key factors on tire molding quality is revealed. Optimized mold plan reduces the number of vents while meeting requirements. Simulation simplifies the mold process, providing new ideas of vent design.