Pneumatic Tire Definition
"Pneumatic" is a Greek word for "spirit". "Pneuma" means anything which is filled with air. The majority of tires you use or see nowadays are more than likely pneumatic tires. The truth is, most private motor vehicles and modern commercial transportation could not function without pneumatic tires.
Definition
Pneumatic tires as defined by Webster's on-line dictionary are described as tires that are constructed from durable rubber, which hold compressed air. Any tire which 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 in the year 1888 developed the very first practical pneumatic bicycle tire. In the year 1895, the Michelin brothers Edouard and Andre, the Michelin brothers were the first ones to utilize pneumatic tires on a car during a race.
Identification
Pneumatic tires are made from many bands of plys or corded fabric. Plys are normally coated with rubber that enables them to hold air pressure. Bias ply tires have the plys overlaid at a certain angle to the other layers. Radial tires have all plys laid at 90 degrees to the casing or tire body.
KInds
Tube tires are a type of tire that needs a rubber inner tube in order 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 that creates an airtight seal with the wheel. This eliminates the need for an inner tube.
Exceptions
Pneumatic tires can lose air pressure when punctured that makes them unsuitable for particular applications. Tires tires used by the military, utilized on forklifts, tires utilized in construction are often made with solid rubber or filled with resilient foam.
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