Motorists could soon bid bye-bye to blow outs and ta-ta to tyre adjustments as producers develop the airless tyre.
Pneumatic drill
It sounds improbable but a replacement for the pneumatic tyre has been several years in development. In reality, some off road automobiles already use airless tyres.
The military have also tested the new-age wheels. So it most likely will not be long before the likes of you and me will match airless tyres to our own automobiles in a move that could revolutionise the motor industry.
Manufacturing giants Michelin and Bridgestone have both developed airless tryes. So has Polaris, an American firm that specialises in all-terrain cars.
Yet another fine mesh
The Polaris airless tyre is created up of a hexagonal honeycomb mesh surrounded by a rubber tread and looks like some thing out of Terminator.
It is not only puncture-proof, but Polaris claims it is also quieter and gives a smoother ride, especially over rough terrain, thanks to its greater shock absorption.
It is named the TerrainArmor. And if it occurs to be hit by a .50 caliber bullet travelling at the speed of sound, it will hold rolling for 350 miles.
I can believe of a couple of neighbourhoods exactly where that may possibly come in useful…
Bridge of sighs
Bridgestone’s initial generation airless tyre came out in 2011, but its capability was limited, with a maximum load bearing weight of just 220 lbs and a prime speed of 3.7 mph.
The firm unveiled its second generation tyre at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2013 – and it’s a lot more viable.
Spokes of thermoplastic resin help the rubber tread and can bear weights up to 904 lbs and travel at speeds of 37 mph.
It is environmentally friendly, also, as the materials utilized in the manufacture of the air-free tyre are totally recyclable.
Wheel of fortune?
Michelin’s version of the airless tyre created its debut in the nineties.
The firm won plaudits for the design and style, but not for the name – Tweel, a rather cheesy mixture of tyre and wheel.
The Tweel went on sale in 2012, but as yet is only available for industrial autos.
Hit the road, jack
There’s lots to like about airless tyres. For a start off, they get rid of the need to have to get out the jack at the side of the road to change the wheel soon after a puncture.
They also guarantee a smoother ride, environmental benefits and a lengthy lifespan.
Inflationary pressures
But they are not but ready to hit the road, so to speak.
There’s the price tag tag for one point. Airless tyres price about £700 a piece, which is most likely beyond the monetary reach of the typical motorist.
Sting in the tale
The police might also have a issue with air-totally free tyres.
You know these spike strips or stingers they lay across the road to stop criminals in their tracks? Effectively they wouldn’t have a hope of stopping a car equipped with airless tyres.
So while they may have all manner of benefits, they might not truly be street legal. So don’t hold your breath.
Wind of change blows for auto tyres
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