Now, Hankook has completed initial testing on its fifth-generation airless tire, dubbed the iFlex. The tires do not require any air pressure, instead relying on a new type of eco-friendly material (Hancook demurs when asked for details). Geometric shapes built into the material provide the bounce and springiness normally provided by air pressure. But, unlike the previous iFlex, this version's designed to mount onto a traditional rim, making it compatible with current vehicles.
Hankook ran the iFlex through a battery of tests to compare it to more conventional rubber, measuring durability, hardness, stability, slalom and speed, at up to 80 mph. The company says the tires matched conventional tires in terms of performance.
Anyone who got a flat from the epidemic of potholes this Spring or who is plagued by nails and other road debris that cause slow leaks will welcome this development. Naturally, the real question is whether it's spelled, "tire" or "tyre."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @06:08PM
If you make them last 50x as long, then people won't buy as many tires. That means less profit for the tire companies. Instead, tire companies develop and patent the hell out of new tire designs so that no one else can make them and drive the tire companies out of business.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @11:53PM
Oh the good ole "free market"