The take-off in an airplane is just as important as the landing. During both of these crucial stages – there is one element that keeps an aircraft standing – literally…. The tires.
Aircraft tires are extremely complex in construction and are put through severe operating conditions multiple times in a day. This is why the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as major tire manufacturers (i.e. Michelin) recommend using nitrogen for Tire Inflation/Fuel Tank Inerting.
Here are some of the reasons why nitrogen is best used for airplane tire inflation.
- Non-corrosive. With nitrogen tire inflation, you have an additional safety factor in that nitrogen is an inert gas that will not support corrosion within wheels and tires.
- Non-flammable. Nitrogen is very inert. About 70% of the earth’s atmosphere is Nitrogen.
- Nitrogen performs well under temperature changes. Aircraft tires generally operate at high pressures. Tires that are inflated with nitrogen minimize expansion and contraction due to extreme changes in temperature and pressure experienced while in flight. Regular air under pressure can become explosive.
- Nitrogen maintains volume at high altitudes. Also, nitrogen is more compatible with rubber compounds, therefore the deflation rate in the airplane tires is longer.
For more information on how nitrogen generators can help with airplane tire inflation, speak with an experienced nitrogen generator supplier or visit our Aircraft Tire Inerting page on our website.
