An air-filled or pneumatic tire is composed on an inner core that is sealed airtight and filled with pressurized air. Usually, a reinforced steel belted tread or other materials, provides the contact part with the road and seals this inner core.
The tire would remain inflated with all the weight of the vehicle resting on it, since the pressure of the air in the tire is more than atmospheric air pressure. The pressure of the air within 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 that had wooden wheels, you know exactly how huge of a difference a set of pneumatic tires can make.
Surely, there are several disadvantages to pneumatic tires. Like for example in high-performance situations or highly dangerous applications, these tires can suffer a puncture and this will result in a total failure. The consequence of a blowout at high speeds could result in a dangerous car crash. Military planners must take into consideration tires getting blown out by explosion shrapnel or shooting of guns. A vehicle crew's worst nightmare is becoming trapped in a fire zone due to all of their tires becoming flat. Airless tires evidently don't suffer from these issues and thus, could be more suitable in some applications.
Pneumatic tires have one more issue involving variations in air pressure and tire performance. Lower tire pressure can create improved traction and increased comfort. This is due to the fact that tires flatten a little 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 allows the tires' sidewalls to flex. Unfortunately, this results in poor handling. Within an airless tire, the stiffness in those two dimensions is independent.
There are other issues with air pressure. Consumers are notoriously undependable when it comes to maintaining proper air pressure. Tires which have incorrect air pressure can lead to dangerous situations. It is very essential to note that pneumatic tires are susceptible to temperature changes too, which could be responsible for changing the internal pressure of the tire. It is very vital to take into consideration the kind of environments you will be needing your equipment to operate in so that you could regularly check the tires and keep the equipment as safe as possible.