Designed with standard tyre  construction, self-sealing tyres have a great feature on the tyre durability having designed inner lining of the tyre—an extra lining of sticky gel-like polymer sealant , that helps in sealing tyre leaks. Such tyres are already in the market; Continental and Michelin are the major manufacturers worldwide for self-sealing tyres.

Continental  developed and designed to seal a damaged tyre tread. In case of penetration by foreign objects such as nails, for example (Fig.1), there is no need for immediate roadside tyre changes, and holes remain sealed even if the puncturing object becomes dislodged. Self-sealing tyre gel is a sticky, viscous sealant layer. They are designed to fix most tread-area punctures instantly and permanently and are not necessarily required to get to be repaired.  

In such tyre, Self-sealing gel is poured inside a tyre and remains in contact with tyre inner-liner (Fig.2) and is a type of an extra lining of sticky gel-like polymer  sealant,  a patented liquid, injected through tyre valve under pressure. A liquid contains patented polymer and fibre. During Puncture, when air rushes through, it also carries the gel liquid and solidifies there, causing air sealing. A tyre sealant is a complete puncture preventative, tyre repair and maintenance solution. It is a liquid and gel base substance, with the primary composition being either glycerine or latex and they are specially formulated with advanced Kevlar fibres, rubber particles and cooling agents, the solution permanently seals punctures and protects the tyre.

While the number of cars with run-flat tyres continues to grow slow, and the promise of airless tyres is on the horizon, it seems that long forgotten self-sealing tyres are finally reaching practicality. According to a recent article in the Detroit Free Press, Michelin tyres with their Selfseal technology will be available on the 2020 Ford Explorer. They are already fitted to the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Michelin's Selfseal technology uses a coating inside the tyre that can almost instantly fill in a nail or bolt hole up to a quarter of an inch in diameter (Fig.3).

Both run-flats and self-sealers are all about the tread. A cut in the sidewall will compromise a self-supporting run-flat tyre’s ability to hold up the vehicle. Self-sealing tyres do not have a sealant layer in the sidewall, and they can only handle punctures up to a certain size in the tread. Self-sealing tyres contain an inner layer of sealant material along the tread. If a nail or other foreign object punctures the tyre, the sealant layer closes the hole to prevent the air from escaping, and the tyre stays inflated and the self-sealing tyre will be having a typical symbol code on the tyre sidewall (Fig.4) to identify this class of tyres.

Self-sealing tyres are designed to fix most tread-area punctures instantly and permanently. These tyres feature standard tyre construction with the exception of an extra lining inside the tyre under the tread area that might be coated with a puncture sealant that can permanently seal most punctures from nails, bolts or screws up to 3/16 of an inch in diameter.

Since  these tyres are designed to seal the tyre immediately upon being punctured, most drivers will never even know that they just had a puncture. Also, because these tyres feature standard tyre constructions, self-sealing tyres may not require a low air pressure warning system (TPMS).

In such tyres, the puncture holes remain sealed with sticky gel even if the puncturing object becomes dislodged. Self-sealing tyre gel  is a sticky, viscous sealant layer. They are designed to fix most tread-area punctures instantly and permanently.  Self Sealing gel inside a tyre and in contact with tyre inner-liner  is an extra lining of sticky gel-like polymer  sealant,  a patented liquid, injected through tyre valve under pressure. A liquid contains patented polymer and fibre. During Puncture, when air rushes through, it also carries liquid and solidifies there, causing air sealing.

A tyre sealant is a complete puncture preventative, tyre repair and maintenance solution. It is a liquid and gel base substance, with the primary composition being either glycerin or latex. Specially formulated with advanced Kevlar fibers, rubber particles and cooling agents, the solution permanently seals punctures and protects the tyre. Tyre sealants have been adapted for every tyre usage, from bicycles, motorbikes, cars and agriculture to the most extraneous mining and military conditions.

These tyres have been reported to continue to operate years without getting the tread repaired. A few major tyre companies in the self-sealing tyre market are among ; ContiSeal  by Continental AG, DuraSeal by Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Co., Sealguard by Hankook Tyre Co. Ltd., and Seal Inside by Pirelli Tyre LLC ,NailGard by Uniroyal Goodrich Tyre Co. A few highlights of self-sealing tyres are:

• The sealant is just a layer inside a conventional tyre, and the ride is not affected.
• While a tyre pressure monitoring system is useful, self-sealing tyres can be used on vehicles that are not equipped with TPMS.
• They do not require a specialized rim, or special equipment to mount them.
• You can mix them with conventional tyres on a vehicle.
• There are not many downsides to self-sealing tyres. There is a limit to the size of nail or screw puncture that the tyre can handle, usually about 5mm in diameter, and ideally near the middle of the tread.
• The sealant layer is not for deep cuts across the tread, or cuts or punctures in the sidewall.
• While the tyre can close the puncture wound and prevent air loss, the tyre should still be examined and repaired if necessary.
• The technology still is not that common among many tyre companies.
• They are generally more expensive than a regular tyre.

*smajumdar501234@yahoo.co.in

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

A groundbreaking collaboration between technology giant Continental and kitchen manufacturer nobilia is presenting a new vision for the kitchen, transforming it from a utilitarian space into an intelligent and responsive living environment. This joint innovation project, set to debut at nobilia’s international exhibition in Verl, harnesses the material science expertise of Continental’s ContiTech group, drawing directly from its advanced work in automotive interiors.

The concept, titled ‘Evolution of Senses’, showcases how functional materials can redefine everyday experiences through comfort, safety and seamless design. The core of this innovation lies in revolutionary translucent surfaces. These specialised materials are light-permeable and serve as a host for printed electronics, enabling an array of hidden functions. This technology allows a kitchen countertop to discreetly incorporate wireless smartphone charging, create specific heating or cooling zones to keep food and drinks at their ideal temperature and feature touch-sensitive control panels. All these elements remain completely invisible when not in use, preserving a clean aesthetic. This principle of surface technology is also demonstrated in a kitchen niche, where a screen is hidden behind a translucent film with a wood-like finish, only appearing when activated.

The commitment to modern living extends to sustainability, with the use of durable and resource-efficient materials. The chairs, for instance, are upholstered in an artificial leather that is composed of over 90 percent bio-based and renewable raw materials, including organically grown cotton.

Further enhancing the kitchen's intelligence are smart AI features, engineered by AUMOVIO Engineering Solutions. Adapted from Continental's automotive technology, these systems can recognise food items, offer recipe recommendations and provide nutritional insights. They also contribute to family safety by issuing alerts for potential hazards like boiling water or objects that might be dangerous for children.

While some of these technologies are production-ready and others are still in the prototype stage, they collectively offer a concrete and exciting preview of the future, where the home environment is both intuitively connected and sustainably crafted.

Ralf Imbery, Head of Design, Marketing and Strategy for Continental’s global surface materials business, said, “For many decades, our materials and technologies have shaped modern living spaces – from vehicle interiors to home furniture. With this concept kitchen, we’re showing how our expertise can be transferred to new requirements: for greater functionality, user-oriented design and technology in everyday life. For us, cooperation projects of this kind are an important strategic tool that allow us to test innovations at an early stage and, together with partners, develop new perspectives for future living environments.”

Florian Degenhardt, Head of Innovation, nobilia, said, “The collaboration with Continental is a real game-changer. It enables us to create intuitive surfaces that respond to the user while at the same time preserving the elegant design of modern kitchens.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

NASA has launched a three-phase competition offering USD 155,000 in prizes to develop next-generation wheels for lunar rovers, as the US space agency prepares for sustained exploration missions to the Moon’s surface.

The “Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge” seeks lightweight, durable wheel designs capable of traversing the Moon’s harsh terrain of razor-sharp regolith whilst maintaining performance in extreme temperature variations and carrying substantial cargo loads at higher speeds.

The competition addresses critical mobility challenges facing future lunar missions, where traditional rover wheels have struggled with the Moon’s abrasive surface materials and temperature extremes that can plummet to minus 173 degrees Celsius during lunar nights.

“The next era of lunar exploration demands a new kind of wheel – one that can sprint across razor-sharp regolith, shrug off extremely cold nights, and keep a rover rolling day after lunar day,” NASA stated in announcing the challenge.

The programme unfolds across three distinct phases. Phase 1, which opened on 28 August and runs until 4 November 2025, will reward the best conceptual designs and analyses. Phase 2, scheduled for January through April 2026, will fund prototype development. The final phase in May-June 2026 will test leading designs through live obstacle courses simulating lunar conditions.

For the concluding phase, NASA will deploy MicroChariot, a 45-kilogram test rover, to evaluate top-performing wheel designs at the Johnson Space Centre Rockyard facility in Houston, Texas. The testing ground will simulate the challenging lunar terrain that future missions must navigate.

The competition remains open to diverse participants, from university student teams and independent inventors to established aerospace companies, reflecting NASA’s broader strategy of engaging private sector innovation for space exploration technologies.

NASA mobility engineers will provide ongoing feedback throughout the competition phases, offering participants insights from the agency’s extensive experience in planetary rover operations, including successful missions to Mars.

The challenge comes as NASA intensifies preparations for the Artemis programme, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon and serve as a stepping stone for eventual Mars exploration missions.

Current lunar rover designs have faced limitations in speed, cargo capacity, and durability when operating across the Moon’s challenging surface conditions, creating demand for breakthrough mobility solutions that can support extended surface operations.

The competition timeline positions Phase 2 prototype funding to commence in January 2026, allowing successful Phase 1 participants several months to refine their concepts before advancing to hardware development.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

VMI will display its automated Strainer Plate Cleaning Station, a significant innovation designed to address a longstanding challenge within the rubber manufacturing industry, at the upcoming Global Polymer Summit in Cleveland. This comes at a critical time of rapid economic expansion in the United States, largely fuelled by construction and industrial renewal, which is driving increased demand for high-quality, efficiently produced rubber components.

These components are essential across a vast spectrum of applications, from microscopic seals and industrial machinery to pipelines and specialised products for extreme environments. To keep pace, US manufacturers are actively seeking advanced equipment that combines superior quality, shorter lead times and robust stateside support. For over two decades, VMI has met these exact needs from its Ohio operations, offering German-engineered solutions supported by responsive local service.

The new Strainer Plate Cleaning Station exemplifies VMI's pioneering ‘Hands-off, Eyes-off’ automation philosophy, previously applied to its industry-standard tyre building machines. This system utilises advanced robotics to completely transform what has traditionally been one of the most labour-intensive, unpleasant and hazardous jobs in a rubber factory. The automated Strainer Plate Cleaning Station will be demonstrated in operation at VMI’s booth, number 1430, during the Global Polymer Summit from 8th to 11th September.

The benefits of this automation are substantial. Companies can reallocate skilled workers to more value-added production roles, thereby boosting overall productivity and driving down unit costs. This enhanced efficiency allows businesses to become more competitive and responsive to dynamic market demands. The system integrates seamlessly with VMI’s extrusion and gear pump systems, which are backed by proprietary management software that enables the flexible production of both standard and highly specialised components on a single platform.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Qingdao Municipal Government Information Office recently hosted a media briefing on ‘Shandong's Top Brands on the Industrial Chain – Intelligent Equipment Industrial Chain’ at the MESNAC Jiaozhou Equipment Industrial Park. Senior leaders from MESNAC and three other prominent firms were in attendance to present their advancements and field questions from journalists.

A central focus was on MESNAC's proprietary ROC R&D platform, a unique modular system engineered specifically for the rubber equipment sector. This platform is fundamentally structured around client requirements, integrating comprehensive product design, technological development and rigorous testing protocols. This architecture facilitates a configurable development process, allowing for both large-scale customisation and remarkably agile product delivery. The company's operational philosophy was explained as a dedicated team model, where a single unit focuses its expertise on one product for its entire lifecycle. This meticulous approach has generated significant industry innovations in recent years, including fully automatic material weighing systems, unmanned tire building machinery and intelligent tyre curing press workshops capable of operating as fully unmanned ‘lights-out’ facilities.

The event included a practical demonstration of this technology in action. Attendees witnessed the NPS Semi-steel One-stage Building Machine, which achieves a single-tyre production cycle of just 35 seconds through complete automation. This system boasts world-class efficiency, requiring only one person to supervise multiple machines simultaneously. It embodies a new generation of intelligent manufacturing by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technologies such as precision machine vision, industrial robotics, sophisticated industrial IoT software and autonomous learning capabilities.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!