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Tire

technology Maturity 7-9 Next article →

{

"text": "A tire is a ring-shaped part that fits around a wheel's rim.

Large tyre
Large tyre

It has a very important job for any vehicle. It transfers the weight of the vehicle from the axle through the wheel to the ground. Tires also provide traction, which is the grip needed to move across a surface. Most tires used for cars or bicycles are pneumatic. This means they are filled with compressed air. This air creates a flexible cushion. This cushion absorbs shocks when the tire rolls over bumps.

Assorted stacked automotive tires
Assorted stacked automotive tires

\n\nModern pneumatic tires are made of several different materials. They use natural rubber and synthetic rubber. They also contain fabric, wire, and carbon black. A tire is built with two main sections. The first part is the tread. The tread is the outer layer that provides grip. The second part is the body. The body holds the compressed air inside.

Tire components -- NHTSA The Pneumatic Tire
Tire components -- NHTSA The Pneumatic Tire

Tires also create a footprint called a contact patch. This patch is designed to match the vehicle's weight. It exerts pressure so it does not damage the surface.\n\nBefore rubber was common, tires were very different. People used metal bands on wooden wheels to hold them together. A skilled worker called a wheelwright made these. He would heat the metal in a fire to make it expand. Then he would fit it over the wheel. He would quench it in water to make it contract. This made the metal fit very tightly.

John Boyd Dunlop (c1915)
John Boyd Dunlop (c1915)

Later, Robert William Thomson filed a patent for a pneumatic tire in 1847. However, John Boyd Dunlop made the first practical one in 1888. He wanted to help his son ride a tricycle more smoothly.

John Boyd Dunlop (c1915)
John Boyd Dunlop (c1915)

\n\nTire technology has changed a lot over many years. In 1895, Michelin made the first pneumatic tires for cars. They used them in a car called L'Eclair during a race.

Assorted stacked automotive tires
Assorted stacked automotive tires

During World War II, the United Kingdom had rubber shortages. Scientists looked at using things like leather, paper, and even felt. In 1946, Michelin also created the radial tire method. This method was better for handling and fuel economy. In the United States, the Ford Motor Company finally adopted radial tires in the early 1970s.

Tire plies
Tire plies

\n\nToday, we use many different types of tires for different tasks.

A stack of tractor tyres - geograph.org.uk - 1409842
A stack of tractor tyres - geograph.org.uk - 1409842

Snow tires have large gaps in the tread to grip ice. Some even have metal studs to help. Aircraft tires are small but must handle the shock of landing.

Boeing-777-300 chassis
Boeing-777-300 chassis

Race car tires can be \"slicks" with no tread at all. We must also be careful with old tires. If they are not recycled, they can become waste. People use mechanical recycling to make things like crumb rubber. This helps protect the environment from toxic chemicals.",

"media": [

"File:Large tyre.jpg",

"File:Assorted stacked automotive tires.jpg",

"File:Tire components -- NHTSA The Pneumatic Tire.png",

"File:John Boyd Dunlop (c1915).jpg",

"File:Tire plies.png",

"File:A stack of tractor tyres - geograph.org.uk - 1409842.jpg",

"File:Boeing-777-300 chassis .jpg"

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}

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🖼️ Images & Media (28)
File:Large tyre.jpg
Large tyre.jpg
File:Assorted stacked automotive tires.jpg
Assorted stacked automotive tires.jpg
File:A stack of tractor tyres - geograph.org.uk - 1409842.jpg
A stack of tractor tyres -...
File:John Boyd Dunlop (c1915).jpg
John Boyd Dunlop (c1915).jpg
File:The Employment of Women in Britain, 1914-1918 Q28265.jpg
The Employment of Women in Britain,...
File:Studded winter tyre.jpg
Studded winter tyre.jpg
File:Studless_tire_2.jpg
Studless_tire_2.jpg
File:Rali Portugal (168).JPG
Rali Portugal (168).JPG
File:Gianttires ontruck.jpg
Gianttires ontruck.jpg
File:Boeing-777-300 chassis .jpg
Boeing-777-300 chassis .jpg
File:Tire plies.png
Tire plies.png
File:2005 091112-28rim0051 compressed.JPG
2005 091112-28rim0051 compressed.JPG

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