Pneumatic Tire Definition
The term "pneumatic" comes from the Greek word for "spirit" that is "pneuma" and means something which is filled with air. Most tires you see or utilize nowadays are more than likely pneumatic tires. In fact, the majority of modern commercial transportation and private vehicles could not work without pneumatic tires.
Definition
Webster's online dictionary defines pneumatic tires as tires that are made from reinforced rubber and could 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 John Boyd Dunlop, an Irish surgeon, 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 to use pneumatic tires on a car during a race.
Identification
Pneumatic tires are made from many bands of corded or plys fabric. Plys are usually coated with rubber which allows 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 tire body or casing.
Types
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 edges of the sidewall 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 that makes them unsuitable for particular applications. Tires used on forklifts, tires utilized in construction, tires used by the military are often filled with resilient foam or constructed with solid rubber.
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