Introduction
They say invention of the wheel is what propelled the humankind into modern day civilization. What is the the modern day wheel, “a tire”. A tire is a flexible body of rubber that links up the vehicle with the road surface. The tire as we know it today is closely related to the development of roads, steam engine. As the need to carry heavier loads increased, man had to get innovative in order to improve efficiency. In this article we are going to explore some of the common types of tires available in the market.
Pneumatic Tires
R.W Thompson invented the pneumatic tire that reduced high frequency vibrations. Before his invention, tires were either made of wood or a metallic band and they carried a big disadvantage. Direct contact with the ground resulted into the vibrations causing the problem of discomfort.
The idea was adopted for use on cycles by JB Dunlop in 1888 and soon motor vehicles picked quickly. The pneumatic tires contained an airbag which enclosed air forming a cushion. This allowed the vehicle to “float”. This is a tire commonly used in light cargo and passenger carrying vehicles like buses. They offer a variety of speeds and can be used in all road conditions.
The Tubeless Tires
Motor vehicles come now equipped with tubeless tires a s a basic requirement. The tubeless tires evolved from the pneumatic tire. It eliminates the need to use a different tube to form an airtight seal to achieve the same results of comfort just like the pneumatic tires.
The mechanism of air-sealing is of a higher standard and this gives them the added advantage over the pneumatic tires. Provided the cover is correctly sealed to the rim. The soft inner liner of the cover allows for a puncture sealing environment which facilitates easy repair incases one is encountered.
Tubeless tires are classified based on the materials they are made of. Radial ply tires have cords arranged in such such a manner they form an angle of 90 degrees to the bead. Diagonal ply tires have one ply running at an angle of 100 degrees to the adjoining ply and each cord forms an angle of 40 degrees.
Differentiating the type of tire is done through the markings. Radial ply tires are labelled “R” and Diagonal ply tires are labelled “D” and the difference in make means all tire have use case scenarios where they are best used. In a separate article we shall talk about tubeless tires in detail.
Energy Saving Tires
Fuel economy is very important and tires play a role in ensuring that vehicles provide the most miles per liter of fuel used. Specific energy saving tires have been designed to have a lower rolling resistance which means the vehicle uses less power to propel it along the road. As a result, the less work done by the car results in less fuel being used.
The different materials used in the rubber coupled with improved tread patterns create less drag on the road surface. Today, manufacturers fit this as a standard because cars can come with improved fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions.
Run-Flat Tires
Manufacturers are always trying to find ways of improving the safety of the car. Tires that can be used when deflated are amongst the innovations. They allow the car to be driven at relatively low speeds of around 80 kph and they give added stability incase a tire suddenly loses pressure.
The run-flats are made with stiffer side walls that allow the car to be driven at lower speeds incase the tires are punctured. The rubber is built to withstand the high temperatures that build up from running a vehicle on flat tires. This gives the driver the confidence that the car will be stable in a sudden tyre blow out.
Conclusion
In today’s article we have looked at the various types of tires that are available i the market. The modern wheel that propelled civilization keeps modifying and improving as more resources are pout into research and development. Automotive UG is proud to share it with you. Please share your opinions in the comment section
