Why Are Airplane Tires Made of Conductive Rubber?
Tires are integral components of an aircraft’s landing system. Preventing airplanes from landing directly on their bellies, tires are equipped to withstand the weight of the aircraft and the friction it creates on the runway. While some aircraft have four or six tires, others may contain up to 10 tires, depending on the size of the aircraft.
Regardless of the number of tires an aircraft may have, the one factor that stays the same is the material used for such components. However, this material is not the same as the kind used in cars, trucks, and other road vehicles. Though they look similar, airplane tires are made of a special type of rubber called conductive rubber.
Conductive rubber is an elastic rubber-based material that is designed to be an excellent conductor of electricity. Also called a conductive elastomer, conductive rubber allows electricity to flow through it with minimal restriction. For further context, conductivity is defined as the measurement of how well electricity can flow through a material or object.
Airplanes in particular use tires made of conductive rubber to neutralize electricity. It is important to note that electricity is generated naturally through friction, and airplane tires are exposed to an immeasurable amount of friction during takeoffs and landings. The friction between the tires and the runway leads to a buildup of electricity that can damage the airplane’s electronic components.
Many of the electrical components in aircraft are highly sensitive to electrical discharge. If a stray electrical charge reaches one of these components, the component may fail. As such, the use of conductive rubber tires prevents this from occurring. With these tires, electricity travels to the ground rather than accumulating in the tires.
All that being said, conductive rubber is the material of choice for the production of airplane tires. Not only does it feature great absorption properties like traditional rubber, but it possesses the added benefit of conductivity. Finally, as previously mentioned, it successfully protects the aircraft’s electronics from damage. Such characteristics have placed conductive rubber at the top of the list for aircraft tire production.
If you find yourself in need of conductive rubber components, airplane tires, automotive tires, or other related items, rely on Purchasing Synergy. Purchasing Synergy is a leading distributor of aircraft products, all of which have been sourced from reputable manufacturers across the globe. With over 2 billion ready-to-purchase items in our inventory, customers can easily fulfill their operational requirements.
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