Airless tires, non-pneumatic tires (NPT), or flat-free tires are tires that are not supported by air pressure.The main advantage of airless tires is that they do not go flat. Other advantages are that airless tires need to be replaced less, resulting in savings. Heavy equipment outfitted with airless tires will be able to carry more weight and engage in more rugged activities.
source/image: Polaris Terrain Armor
Dubbed ‘Terrain Armour’, the non-pneumatic tyres (NPT) from Polaris are claimed to never go flat.According to Polaris, the TerrainArmor tires, can take a direct hit from a .50-caliber round and still drive 350 miles; they can also last 1,000 miles after running over a railroad spike.
The tires’ inner structure is a mesh design that supports the weight of the vehicle, while still being flexible enough to soak up bumps. There’s still a rubber outer tread so, like conventional tires, different tread patterns can be developed for different applications.
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Made from a proprietary plastic, the NPT replaces the conventional tire carcass with a flexible web.The tire works very similar to a bicycle wheel, where the load is carried in tension across the top of the wheel.The bottom of the wheel is designed to give in to obstacles like rocks, curbs, and other terrain.
