Pneumatic Tire Definition
The word "pneumatic" comes from the Greek word for "spirit" that is "pneuma" and translates to something which is filled with air. The majority of tires you utilize or see these days are more than likely pneumatic tires. In fact, nearly all modern commercial transportation and private motor vehicles can not function without pneumatic tires.
Definition
Webster's on-line dictionary defines pneumatic tires as tires which are manufactured from durable rubber and can hold compressed air. Any tire that needs air pressure to hold its shape 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 the year 1888 developed the first practical pneumatic bicycle tire. In the year 1895, the Michelin brothers Edouard and Andre, the Michelin brothers were the first to use pneumatic tires on a car during a race.
Identification
Pneumatic tires are made from numerous bands of corded or plys fabric. Plys are often coated with rubber that enables them to hold air pressure. Bias ply tires have the plys overlaid at a particular angle to the other layers. Radial tires have all plys laid at 90 degrees to the casing or tire body.
Types
Inside tube tires, there are a kind of rubber inner tube to hold the air pressure. Motorcycle tires on spoke rims, bicycle tires and older bias ply truck and car tires utilize inner tubes. Tubeless tires have a stiff bead on the edges of the sidewall which forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This kind of tire does not require an inner tube.
Exceptions
The fact that pneumatic tires could be punctured and lose air pressure makes them unsuitable for particular applications. Tires tires utilized in construction, tires utilized by the military, used on forklifts are normally constructed with solid rubber or filled with resilient foam.
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