The air-filled or pneumatic tire consists of a core filled with airtight sealed pressurized air. Normally, a reinforced steel belted tread or other materials, provides the contact area with the road and seals this inner core.
Since the air pressure in the tire is more than atmospheric air pressure, the tire remains inflated even with the weight of the vehicle resting on it. The air pressure in the tire provides resistance against forces that attempt to deform the tire. When the tire hits bumps in the road, this gives the tire a slight degree of a cushioning effect. If you have ever taken a ride in an old-fashioned carriage which had wooden wheels, you know how huge of a difference a set of pneumatic tires can make.
Pneumatic tires also come with disadvantages. Highly dangerous applications or high-performance situations for instance, these tires can suffer a puncture and this would lead to a complete failure. The consequence of a blowout at high speeds could result in a dangerous car crash. Military planners should consider tires getting blown out by firing of guns or explosion shrapnel. The worst nightmare of a vehicle crew is becoming trapped in a fire zone due to all of their tires becoming flat. Airless tires obviously don't suffer from these issues and therefore, in certain applications, may be more suitable.
The pneumatic tire may have issues as well with the variation in tire performance and air pressure. The lower pressure in a tire may increase the traction and the comfort level. This is because of the fact that tires flatten slightly and more tread is touching the road. The air pressure in the tire works to maintain the lateral stiffness of the tire as well as maintain the "up and down" stiffness. Hence, reduced air pressure enables the tires' sidewalls to flex. Unfortunately, this results in poor handling. In an airless tire, the stiffness in those two dimensions is independent.
Air pressure factors into other problems also. When it comes to maintaining proper air pressure, consumers are notoriously undependable. Improper air pressure within tires could lead to really unsafe situations. It is vital to note that pneumatic tires are prone to temperature changes also, which could be responsible for changing the internal pressure of the tire. It is essential to take into consideration the kind of settings you will be requiring your equipment to function in so that you can check the tires regularly and keep the machinery as safe as possible.