Arlanxeo, a synthetic elastomers specialist, has developed a self-sealing rubber compound which it claims can make spare wheels, repair kits or runflat tires redundant, saving weight and improving vehicle dynamics. When the compound is applied on the interior of the tire, any holes that occur are automatically sealed, so the driver can continue the journey. The tire is sealed immediately, regardless of the location and environment, while the vehicle is in motion.
Matthias Gotta, head of global sales and marketing in Arlanxeo’s tire and speciality rubbers business unit (BU TSR), explained, “To ensure that our compound can guarantee optimal sealing in any climate zone regardless of the speed a vehicle is traveling, we are currently carrying out further tests under extreme conditions following successful laboratory tests. Even in the case of strongly fluctuating external temperatures, the tires must be sealed to the same standard.”
Once field tests have been successfully completed, Arlanxeo expects to launch the compound on the market later in 2018.
Frank Lückgen, global marketing director for tires, BU TSR at Arlanxeo, added, “As a spare tire and the corresponding tools are no longer required, the weight of the vehicle and subsequently also its energy consumption are further reduced. In the case of electric vehicles, this can result in a longer range, for example.”
