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Q:

What type of tires are used on airplanes?

A:

Airplane tires are amazing: they can hold the huge weight of the plane, provide a soft taxi along the runway, and withstand immense forces as the plane takes off and flies, not to mention huge friction drag of landing. So they have to be very sturdy.

 

They are built using bias-ply construction: lots of plies at 30 and 60 degree angles, renforcing the tires. These plies are made of many different kidns of materials, but nylon is very popular. Kevlar is becoming more and more common as well. But the black part you see is made out of rubber, just like the tires on your car. 

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