Arlanxeo advances rubber compound for self-sealing tires

Maastricht, The Netherlands - Arlanxeo has developed a special compound for use in self-sealing tires, the synthetic rubber maker has announced

The material, which is applied on the interior of a vehicle tire, enables punctures to be automatically sealed, said a 19 Feb press statement.

“With our development, we are giving an important impulse for the mobility of tomorrow,” says Frank Lückgen, global marketing director, tire, at Arlanxeo's Tire & Specialty Rubbers business unit (BU TSR).

“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,” added Lückgen.

A key target for Arlanxeo is to ensure that its compound ensures optimal sealing in any climate zone at all driving speeds.

"We are currently carrying out further tests under extreme conditions following successful laboratory tests,” says Matthias Gotta, head of global sales and marketing in BU TSR.

“Even in the case of strongly fluctuating external temperatures, the tires should be sealed in the same quality,” he emphasised.

Once the tests have been successfully completed, the compound will be launched on the market during 2018, according to the company statement.