Skip to main content

Tyre Sealant: What It Is

Tyre Sealant comprises of a carefully formulated blend of natural fibres, blocking agents and sealing compounds that’s been proven to seal a puncture of up to and above 18mm.



Composition
Tyre sealants are a balanced formulation of glycol, organic thickeners, binding agents, mica, rubber particles and cellulose fibres of different types and strength. 
The water based glycol is the liquid carrier of the solution that suspends the solids. The mica particles and fibres, which vary from ceramic, wool and aramid (Kelvar), determine the strength of the solution. The combination of thickener/filler with cellulose fibres quickly forms a permanent rubber plug that bonds to the natural rubber of the tyre. 
The stronger the solutions sealing capacity, the denser the mix of fibres and rubber. The composition is adjusted in viscosity to match various applications and conditions eg. different strengths are used in road tyres and off road tyres respectively.

How Tyre Sealants Work
Once installed, the sealant forms a protective layer inside the tyre. When a puncture occurs, the internal pressure of the tyre instantly pushes the sealant into the cavity. The special fibres and mica particles accumulate and bond to the rubber in the cavity. A solid rubber plug is formed through the full depth of the puncture hole. This forms a more secure and superior repair than a traditional plug that is inserted from the outside of the tyre. 
A traditional repair further expands the puncture and tears the rubber bond of the tyre. A tyre sealant plug is a more natural repair, as the mica/rubber particles and fibres closely mimic that of the tyres rubber.



Why does the sealant in the tyre remain viscous while the plug is solid and permanent?
The glycol is the carrier of the fibres that form the solid plug. Contracting and expanding of the cavity due to the tyres normal behaviour, squeezes the glycol from the plug. This allows the fibres, mica and thickeners to bond and form a solid plug. The remaining solution in the tyre continues to coat and protect the tyre from hundreds of punctures.

Glycol Vs Latex
The base substance of a tyre sealant is either glycol or latex. 
Glycol is a water based substance that can be either ethylene or propylene, Propylene is non-toxic and Ethylene is toxic. 
Latex on the other-hand is a non-water based substance commonly found in bicycle tyre sealants. Latex has a lower production cost and doesn’t require additives such as fibres to function as a sealant. It has proven to be very effective, but has a limited life span and dries in the tyre after about 15000km. Once dried, it has shown to adhere to the tyre and rim. Removal and repairing of the tyre is often impossible. The high concentration of ammonia in latex sealants can corrode the steel rim and degrade the rubber of the tyre.

There are many benefits to using Propylene Glycol sealants due to its water soluble properties. It has an indefinite shelf life and can be reused. It is easily washed out with water, is non-toxic and non-flammable. It acts as a corrosion retardant and inhibits tyre degradation, thereby promoting higher rates of success for retarding and re-treading. It prevents standard air loss, bead leaks and reduces running temperatures. Coupled with its superior sealing capability, glycol tyre sealants prove to be an efficient tyre maintenance and cost effective solution for private and commercial use.



How Long Does Tyre Sealant Last?
Propylene Glycol Sealants that lasts the life of the tyre. Latex and Ethylene Glycol do not last as long. When your tyre is due for replacement, you will likely be able to transfer the same sealant (propylene glycol) from the old tyre into your new tyre.

When Should You Use Tyre Sealant?
Think of tyre sealant as an alternative to the spare tyre. Only use it in emergency situations, and drive on a sealed tyre just to take it to get assessed, repaired or replaced. 
Take the precautions when applying sealant that you would when changing a tyre, such as ensuring that your car is safely on the curb or shoulder of the road (off the main road). Depending on the size of your car, SUV, or truck, keep a larger can or multiple cans of sealant in the trunk. 
Exercise caution when using the applicator, can, and tyre inflator, and don't over-apply. Of course, if you've been in a more serious auto collision, prioritize your safety over fixing a tyre.

Feel free to read our posts

Suggestions or questions?
Call/chat; 2347064978705
WhatsApp group; https://chat.whatsapp.com/DDMtvmSsfVoKfcfJ9RNuAo

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2024 Nord A3: Overview

The 2024 Nord A3 is a sedan from Nord Motion, a premier Nigerian automobile manufacturer. It  is designed to offer a blend of elegance, sporty performance, and safety features, making it a standout in its class.   It is positioned in the Nord lineup as a refined and luxurious competitor to vehicles such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, etc., in the steadily shrinking sedan market.  It's quite commendable that Nord is still putting some skin in the sedan game despite everyone's seeming preference for SUVs today. Prices start at  ₦ 47,280,000. Origin The 2025 Nord A3 was originally designed and built as the Cowin Xuandu by Kaiyi Auto, under the Cherry Automobile Group, in 2021. It was then offered to the Nigerian market in 2024 by Nord Automobiles as the Nord A3. Specifications Build: Unibody Seating Capacity: 5  Body Style: Compact 4-door sedan Layout: Front engine, front-wheel drive (FWD), no AWD available Suspension:...
Post a Comment
More posts »

NORD A9: Overview

The Nord A9 marks the company's debut in the mid-sized SUV segment, catering to customers seeking additional space and a higher ride height without the drawbacks of full-size SUVs. Nord asserts that the A9 sets a new standard in the Nigerian car market for modern SUVs, combining versatility, luxury, and cutting-edge technology, while comfortably seating five to seven passengers. Power Train The Nord A9 is available in two trims. The "Luxury" trim features a 1.6l direct injection engine, while the "Luxury Pro" trim is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0l direct injection engine. Both trims come with an automatic transmission, ensuring a smooth and responsive driving experience suitable for both city and highway driving. Note that there are no manual transmission options available. It's important to mention that while direct injection engines promise improved fuel economy, they are prone to carbon buildup, especially when turbocharged. The origin of these engines...
Post a Comment
More posts »

The Sony Honda Afeela 1 EV

The Sony Honda Afeela 1 is an innovative all-electric vehicle (EV) developed through a collaboration between Sony and Honda. This joint venture, known as Sony Honda Mobility (SHM), aims to combine Honda's automotive manufacturing expertise with Sony's advanced technology and entertainment capabilities and was just presented at CES 2025. The Afeela 1  comes in two versions: the Origin and the Signature. The Origin starts at $89,900, while the Signature trim is priced at $102,900.  Some key features of the Afeela EV are: - A display screen on the front end that shows the logo, greetings, and other customizable messages. - Advanced Technology: The vehicle is equipped with 40 sensors, including cameras, LiDAR, radars, and ultrasonic sensors, to support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). - Autonomous Driving: The Afeela 1 includes a suite of autonomous driving features, powered by AI and machine learning, rumored to be subscription-based. - Entertainment: It features Sony H...
Post a Comment
More posts »