Goodyear Rolls Out Self Sealing Tyres

Goodyear is launching a line of ‘self sealing’ truck tyres into the American market. The tyres will feature a gel-like rubber compound designed to instantly seal tread punctures, reports the Beacon Journal.

The manufacturer claims its new technology can extend the life of a truck tyre by six times its average span. The product is aimed at trucks operating in harsh conditions, where the tyres currently last for an average of three weeks.

Commercial tyres account for approximately 25 per cent of Goodyear’s North American revenues, and would give the company a much needed financial boost if they became popular. The tyres, which were developed in Akron, will be launched at various trade shows across America this spring.

DuraSeal, a yellow gel, is built inside the crown of the tyre as part of the belt package under the tread. When a truck runs over a nail, the gel works by surrounding the nail and sealing the puncture.

Goodyear claims the gel can seal up to a quarter of an inch tread puncture, over and over again, without the tyre needing to be repaired or the sealant needing to be reapplied.
“Our goal is to help deliver longer life for these tyres, despite all the wear and tear,” said Donn Kramer, marketing director for Goodyear’s commercial tyre systems.

The Unisteel G287 MSA, a new, high-mileage highway truck tyre; and the Unisteel G288 MSA, a new tyre for tough applications, including logging, construction and mining will be the first two Goodyear tyres to offer the DuraSeal technology. The manufacturer suggests that it is considering extending the technology for other types of commercial vehicles, but says it has no plans to use the gel technology in passenger tyres.