Getting a flat tyre while driving in the middle of nowhere is undoubtedly every driver’s nightmare. While the ability to change the tyre remains a valuable skill for any driver, modern automotive technology has brought forward a wonderful and easy solution in the form of tyre sealants.

Tyre sealants allow you to effectively seal over the hole, thus letting you continue your journey on the road without the hassle of tyre replacement immediately. Let’s delve into detail and understand what tyre sealants are and how they work, among other things.

Tyre sealant is a liquid solution that comprises fibres, latex and other ingredients to help seal tube or tubeless tyre punctures temporarily. It automatically seals over the hole, thus preventing air leakage from the tyre.

The purpose of tyre sealant liquid is also to slow leaks that may arise due to factors like screws, nails or other sharp objects on the road. In brief, sealants basically act as adhesives for punctured tyres.

Tyre sealant can be described in two categories, namely:

• Pre-puncture tyre sealant: As the name implies, pre-puncture tyre sealant is a material that goes into your tyre before the puncture occurs.
• Post-puncture tyre sealant: On the other hand, post-puncture tyre sealant is injected into the tyre after the puncture has taken place.

• Once the tyre sealant is installed into the tyre via the valve stem, it forms a protective layer inside the tyre.
• It works by filling the hole caused by the puncture, similar to typical adhesive or fillers.
• In some cases, you might see traces of sealant on the tyre’s outer surface as it sometimes seeps through the puncture, leaving a noticeable mark on the tyre tread.
• This serves as an alert indicating if your tyre is damaged. It is also an indication to avoid travelling long distances to ensure safety.
• It is also important to note that tyre sealants are only designed to address minor issues and won’t be effective in catering to severe structural damage in the tyre.

Tyre sealants work for both tube and tubeless tyres. However, they work much better in the case of tubeless tyres since they can seal the puncture without using an inner tube. That said, it also depends on the type and quality of the tyre sealant.

The tyre sealant is composed of several key components. They are given below:

• The adhesive agents typically consist of polymers which help the sealant stick to the inner surface of the tyre.
• Rubber particles are drawn to the puncture, and the adhesive acts as a blocking agent. It bonds to the natural rubber of the tyre.
• The liquid base, which includes glycol, water etc., helps suspend the solid within the tyre.
• The strength of the tyre sealant mixture is determined by the presence of mica particles ranging from wool and ceramic. These components together play a huge role in determining how effective the sealant is at sealing punctures.
• Lastly, the composition is formulated considering the need to adapt to different applications.

The longevity of the tyre sealant depends on numerous factors like the extent of your tyre damage, your driving style/ environment, and the expiry date of your sealant product. Tyre sealant is a temporary solution to fix your tyre and is meant for emergencies. They do not act as a medium to replace proper tyre repair and maintenance.

In case of any permanent tyre repair, it is important to have the tyre checked by expert professionals.

• Ideal for Quick Repairs: Tyre sealant is a convenient option for on-the-go repairs. It helps you to complete your journey by avoiding the hassle of changing a flat tyre on the side of the road.
• Cost-Effective: Applying tyre sealant offers an excellent temporary solution, does away with buying a new tyre soon and thus helps you save money.
• Works for Several Vehicle Types: Using tyre sealant is versatile. It works across vehicle categories, including bikes, trucks, sedans, hatchbacks, and regular passenger vehicles.

• Can Potentially Damage the Tyre: If not used correctly, tyre sealants can actually end up causing more damage to the tyres.
• Not Permanent: One of the biggest cons of tyre sealants is that they only provide a temporary solution.

Thus, tyre sealants are an excellent means to help overcome emergency situations where your vehicle’s tyre gives out. However, it comes with certain disadvantages as well and must not be conceived as a permanent solution or repair.