Why do airplanes almost never have a flat tire?

Meanwhile, the same rubber tires, but the phenomenon of tire explosion in cars still happens often and can cause terrible accidents. Why so?

The aircraft tire runs on the runway at a speed of 274 km/h and can handle loads up to 38 tons. When the plane lands, the tires will slide instead of rolling. This is the reason aircraft tires often smoke and squeak when landing. The tire will be dragged along the runway until its rotational velocity equals the airspeed. This time in contact with the runway is the time when the aircraft's tires wear the most.

Tại sao máy bay gần như không bao giờ bị nổ lốp? Picture 1

Each aircraft tire can run on the ground 500 times before needing to change the outer layer of rubber (the outer surface in contact with the road). The most durable aircraft tires can withstand speeds of 463 km/h.

According to Lee Bartholomew, Michelin tire test chief engineer, maximizing pressure is the most important factor in maintaining the life of an aircraft tire. Normally, normal airliner tires are inflated to a pressure of 200 psi, which is 6 times the pressure in car tires.

The tire of the Boeing 737 aircraft is 69 cm in diameter, 20 cm wide and surrounds a 38 cm diameter wheel rim. A Boeing 777 uses 14 tires, an Airbus A380 has 22 and the world's largest plane Antonov An-225 uses 32 tires.

Tại sao máy bay gần như không bao giờ bị nổ lốp? Picture 2

Airplane tires are not too large, and the tire walls are not too thick. Beneath the outermost rubber layer are many different layers that help the aircraft tire to withstand good loads as well as not lose pressure. The strength of the tire lies in the cables that sink under the tread, which are usually made of nylon, or aramid (high-quality man-made fiber). Airplane tires can still explode if inflated or under-inflated, causing the tread to fall off and the tire layers to rip.

During the research, the manufacturers clearly examined what would happen when the aircraft's tires were overloaded or exceeded the maximum speed during take-off and landing. According to the regulations, to meet the standards of aircraft tires must withstand 4 times the pressure indicated on the tire for a minimum of 3 seconds.

Bartholomew said it's almost impossible to blow up a plane tire by overinflating it because too much pressure will damage the rim before the tire.

Samuel Daniel

Update 10 May 2022