The pneumatic tire or air-filled tire is composed of a core filled with airtight sealed pressurized air. Normally, a tread made with reinforced steel belting or other type of materials, seals this inner core and provides the contact part with the road.
As the pressure of the air within the tire is greater 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 which try 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 that had wooden wheels, you know precisely how big of a difference a set of pneumatic tires could make.
Surely, there are some drawbacks to pneumatic tires. Like for example in highly dangerous applications or high-performance situations, these tires could suffer a puncture and this will lead to a complete failure. The consequence of a blowout at high speeds could lead to a dangerous car accident. Military planners need to take into account tires getting blown out by explosion shrapnel or gunfire. The worst nightmare of a vehicle crew is becoming trapped within a fire zone due to all of their tires becoming flat. Airless tires evidently don't suffer from these type of issues and therefore, can be more suitable in some applications.
The pneumatic tire might have problems as well with the variation in air pressure and tire performance. The lower pressure inside a tire can increase the traction and the comfort level. This is due to the fact that tires flatten slightly and more tread is placed in contact with the road. The pressure of the air in the tire works to maintain the "up and down" stiffness as well as maintain the lateral stiffness of the tire. Thus, reduced air pressure allows 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 too. When it comes to maintaining proper air pressure, consumers are notoriously undependable. Incorrect air pressure inside tires can result in really dangerous situations. It is really essential to bear in mind that pneumatic tires are susceptible to temperature changes also, that could be responsible for changing the internal pressure of the tire. It is really important to take into account the type of settings you will be needing your machine to function in so that you could check the tires regularly and keep the machinery as safe as possible.