simonr Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I'm working on a project which needs tyres capable of gripping on to painted surfaces, wet or dry. Do any of you know what sort of polymer / rubber might be a suitable place to start? The device has rims for the tyres, 28mm diameter and the tyres want to be less than 32mm OD and 8mm wide - but 10 of them in total. The loading on each tyre will be about 5kg. I'd really love to show you what it is, but if it works I'll patent it - so I cannot give too much away. Suffice to say, it's a 'vehicle' which has to climb painted surfaces. I wondered about the sticky rubber, climbing boots are made from - but I have a recollection they are slippy as hell on wet floors! Same for Vibram (that shoe soles are made from). Any ideas? Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I would start with viton o-rings: it will give you a small footprint that will press through the surface tension of water and grip - like narrow winter tyres. Then move on to find the most wear resistant o-rings available. Daan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big.Mike Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Silicone o-rings are pretty good. I happen to have a few if you want to try them. Avoid nitrile (rubber) they tend to disintegrate in the sun and mark any surface. (Learnt much to my cost). This material is fantastic for non slip: http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/dc-fix-fablon/d-c-fix-deco-non-slip-liner-blue-30cmx150cm/invt/0309565/ However I've no idea what the material is. (Again someone told me it was silicone, but who knows). Cheers, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozsug Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 What about some RC tyres http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tyres/rc-car-categories/9960/996010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoltan Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Climbing boot rubber will be excellent on painted surfaces, assuming it isn't wet paint! It has the advantage of working well from cold provided it is clean Stealth C5 is a popular trade name. You should be able to get supplies of this from the various people that resole climbing shoes The formulation is a closely guarded secret but all of the popular climbing shoe rubbers work really well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpants Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I'd start by looking at the polyurethanes that are available- there are certainley some grades used in industrial castors- there are also some quite 'tacky' types used in printing rollers. In fact a company making printing rollers could probably apply the material for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 Thanks chaps! I started with regular O rings - but in the wet they seem to be self lubricating. Same with Silicone. The non slip mat is a good idea to test it at the very least. I'll get in touch with the Stealth people and see if I can have a sample. If that fails I'll give PU a go. I could cast it into perfect miniature MT pattern tyres Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 For the wet you probably need siped O rings, but they would defeat their original pupose I would suppose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big.Mike Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I saw this stuff in Halfords today, I wondered if it would be good for your application: http://www.slime.com/shop/slime-tube-protectors/ You could also try handle bar tape: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bar-tape/ If you wanted to go cutting edge you might want to see if you can get some Geko tape! http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/2012/02/gecko-like-tape-holds-up-42-inch-tv.html Cheers, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big.Mike Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Oh, you could try some sugru and experiment with putting different patterns into it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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