From roads to oceans, to farms, the world of motorsport and even the moon. The evolution of tyres keeps pace with technological advancement, making this ultra-complex composite adaptable across multiple contexts, well beyond traditional automotive use.

Why tyres are ultra-complex composite materials

A composite material is defined as the combination of two or more elements whose properties complement one another to form a product with superior performance. By virtue of their construction alone, tyres can be considered ultra-complex composites: inside them lie materials with different — and at times even opposing — properties that tend not to bond with one another. Yet when combined, they are capable of delivering performance characteristics of various kinds, from gripping the asphalt without consuming excessive energy to effective braking, while simultaneously maintaining flexibility and durability.

Drawing on its deep expertise in composite polymers, Michelin is pressing ahead with ever greater determination in developing composite materials for critical applications. The Group's goal is to become the world leader in the sector, in order to manage and make available these highly technological materials across many different fields. In this light, the world of motorsport acts as a genuine laboratory for testing tomorrow's technological solutions: Michelin is the exclusive tyre supplier for the Hypercar category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship. These vehicles generate an exceptionally distinctive aerodynamic downforce and become more and more performance-driven year on year, pushing Michelin's experts to work intensively on the materials that make up the structure and rubber compounds — know-how that is today paving the way for new applications in the field of composite materials.

Where the new applications of tyres extend

It comes as no surprise, then, that two years ago Michelin acquired Flex Composite Groupe, a company specialising in innovative composite materials for critical sectors such as the automotive, maritime, sports, industrial and infrastructure industries. There are numerous concrete examples of the application of these highly technological materials, starting with neoprene-coated fabrics for the nautical world; by combining a textile fibre with a polymer composition, these guarantee great mechanical strength and are suited to the production of buoys, semi-rigid inflatable boats and rescue craft. Another field of application concerns fire protection, through controlled cooling. To best protect firefighters in action, the Michelin Group has developed special suits that keep skin temperature below 43 degrees and body temperature no higher than 39 degrees — achieved through the combination of a protective external technical fabric and an inner layer that allows cool air to circulate.

Beyond this, the development potential for industrial conveyor belts continues to grow, thanks to increasingly robust materials for the metallic mineral and agricultural harvesting industries. Michelin has conceived a conveyor belt made from a highly resistant, long-lasting composite material capable of operating at extreme temperatures of 200 degrees with peaks up to 400 degrees. Composite materials also find numerous applications in the sports field, from chassis components and aerodynamic parts for racing cars to bicycle frames, ski helmets and rowing oars. A remarkable journey that could ultimately reach the moon itself: last year Michelin unveiled a prototype airless lunar wheel developed in response to the tender issued under NASA's Artemis programme, which aims to explore the south pole of our satellite — a region never before reached by human beings.