Pneumatic Tire Definition
"Pneumatic" is a Greek term for "spirit". "Pneuma" means something which is filled with air. The majority of tires you use or see nowadays are more than likely pneumatic tires. Actually, most private transportation and modern commercial transportation can not function without pneumatic tires.
Definition
Pneumatic tires as defined by Webster's on-line dictionary are described as tires that are made from durable rubber, which hold compressed air. Any type of tire that needs air pressure to hold its shape is considered to be a pneumatic tire.
History
The Irish surgeon John Boyd Dunlop has been credited to inventing the pneumatic tire. He developed the very first practical pneumatic bicycle tire in the year 1888. 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 constructed 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 particular angle to the other layers. Radial tires have all plys laid at 90 degrees to the tire body or casing.
Types
In tube tires, there are a type 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 that creates an airtight seal with the wheel. This eliminates the need for an inner tube.
Exceptions
The fact that pneumatic tires are able to lose air pressure and be punctured makes them unsuitable for particular applications. Tires tires utilized by the military, used on forklifts, tires used in construction are usually filled with resilient foam or constructed with solid rubber.
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