Hankook Tire’s Technodome R&D center in Daejeon, South Korea has been awarded three additional Certifications of Exemplary Laboratories in Safety Management. The country’s Ministry of Science and ICT grants these certifications to laboratories that pass an assessment by experts in the field.
The 96,328m2 R&D center features five laboratories and has been awarded the certifications for its excellent safety management.
The new certifications have been awarded to Hankook’s Tire Noise Measuring Lab, Friction Energy Test Lab and Viscoelasticity Test Lab. The tire maker’s Flat-Trac CT+ Laboratory and Chemical Analysis Laboratory had already gained the same certification.
Equipped with semi-anechoic chambers, the Tire Noise Measurement Laboratory is utilized for the measurement and analysis of tire noise in a range of conditions. The lab is currently working on noise reduction technology that can be applied to OE tires set for application on OEM vehicles.
The Friction Energy Test Lab is used for the analysis of tire wear caused by friction between a tire’s tread pattern and the driving surface. Studies to improve technology for the prediction and reduction of tire wear are being conducted at the facility.
The Viscoelasticity Test Lab researches the strength and level of viscosity and elasticity of rubber. This research helps the company predict tire performance in terms of fuel economy, braking power, tire wear and low-temperature performance.
“Safety matters to Hankook Tire, not only in terms of tires but also in terms of working environment. This is why we put efforts into measures for preventing human, physical and R&D losses at our laboratories,” commented Bonhee Ku, executive vice president and CTO of Hankook Tire. “As Hankook Technodome plays a key role in strengthening the company’s R&D capabilities and is a symbol of our commitment to making the highest-quality tires, we will continue to strengthen its safety management capabilities and research environment.”
