Apparatus and method for testing tires

An apparatus for testing tires with a first central axis and having a toroidal carcass, which internally defines a cavity and supports a pair of sidewalls arranged on an outside of the carcass, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a roller configured to support the tire and cause the tire to rotate around the first central axis, wherein a central core of the roller comprises an electrically conductive material, and a coating layer of an even thickness is applied on an outside of the central core so as to completely and uniformly wound the central core;
• wherein the roller is provided with an outer surface having a concave profile, with the concavity facing the tire;
• a probe comprising a structure configured to adjust to an inner superficial profile of the cavity of the carcass and comprising an electrically insulating material;
• a chain mail portion connected to the structure, comprising an electrically conductive material and having a width configured to engage a surface of the cavity in an area of a crown and, at least partially, in an area of the sidewalls, and further having a length configured to engage a portion of the surface of the cavity that covers at least the roller;
• and
• a high-voltage test system configured to detect a presence of defects in the carcass and comprising a pair of electrodes defined by the central core and by the chain mail portion.