Arlanxeo develops new rubber compound for self-sealing tyres

Arlanxeo, a global manufacturer of synthetic elastomers, has developed a rubber compound that can be used in the future to seal tyres. This solution for so-called self-sealing tyres replaces the spare wheel and also presents an alternative to a repair kit or run-flat tyre. An appropriate rubber compound from Arlanxeo, which is applied on the interior of the vehicle tyre, enables holes occurring in the tyre to be automatically sealed, so the driver can continue driving.

“With our development, we are giving an important impulse for the mobility of tomorrow,” says Frank Lückgen, global marketing director tyre in the Business Unit Tyre & Specialty Rubbers (BU TSR) at Arlanxeo. “As a spare tyre 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,” explains Lückgen.

The compound developed by Arlanxeo is applied on the interior of the tyre. If, for example, a nail or other sharp object causes a hole in a tyre, the rubber compound can seal the defect automatically. The tyre is sealed immediately, regardless of the location and environment, while the car is moving.

“To ensure that our compound can guarantee optimal sealing in any climate zone regardless of the speed a vehicle is travelling, 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 tyres should be sealed in the same quality.”

Arlanxeo conducts the corresponding tests with various partners under real life conditions. Once the tests have been successfully completed, the compound will be launched on the market in the course of 2018.

The Arlanxeo BU TSR offers a wide range of versatile synthetic rubbers, primarily for applications in tyre production. The rubbers are used in the inner liners (airtight layers in the tyre), tread, and sidewalls of tyres, as well as in other tyre components. Apart from tyres, other sample applications include chewing gum, sporting goods, and golf balls, as well as hoses and conveyor belts.