Pneumatic Tire Definition
The term "pneumatic" comes from the Greek word for "spirit" which is "pneuma" and means something which is filled with air. The majority of tires you use or see these days are more than likely pneumatic tires. The truth is, nearly all modern commercial transportation and private vehicles can not function without utilizing pneumatic tires.
Definition
Webster's on-line dictionary defines pneumatic tires as tires that are manufactured from durable rubber and can hold compressed air. Any tire which needs air pressure to hold its form is considered to be a pneumatic tire.
History
The invention of the pneumatic tire has been credited to Irish surgeon John Boyd Dunlop, who during 1888 developed the very first practical pneumatic bicycle tire. In the year 1895, the Michelin brothers Edouard and Andre, the Michelin brothers were the very first to use pneumatic tires on a car during a race.
Identification
Pneumatic tires are made up of bands of corded or plys fabric. These plys are coated with rubber to be able hold air pressure. Bias ply tires have the plys overlaid at a specific angle to the other layers. Radial tires have all plys laid at 90 degrees to the tire body or casing.
KInds
Inside tube tires, there are a type of rubber inner tube to be able to hold the air pressure. Bicycle tires, motorcycle tires on spoke rims and older bias ply truck and car tires utilize inner tubes. Tubeless tires have a stiff bead on the sidewall edges which forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This eliminates the need for an inner tube.
Exceptions
Pneumatic tires can lose air pressure when punctured which makes them unsuitable for particular applications. Tires tires used by the military, utilized on forklifts, tires used in construction are usually made with solid rubber or filled with resilient foam.
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