Elkana Jafet, Director of Self Sealing Tyre Technology Namibia demonstrates how Propylene Glycol seals a tyre when it is punctured. (Photograph by Hilmah Hashange).
A revolutionary water-soluble formula that immediately seals punctured tyres is now available in Namibia. It was demonstrated for the first time this week at the Windhoek Show. Self SealingTyre Technology (SSTT) is a Poly-propylene Glycol-based water-soluble tyre sealant which, when installed in a tyre, provides full protection against air loss for the entire legal life span of the tyre.The liquid is a unique blend of recycled rubber which coats and clings to the inner walls of a tyre.
The water-soluble product leaves no residue when rinsed out of the tyre and is non-flammable, non-toxic and does not contain hydro carbon. According to Elkana Jafet, Director of Self Sealing Tyre Technology Namibia, the liquid is injected through the valve and coats the entire inner surface of the tyre. “This is a Do It Yourself process, instructions on how much liquid to inject into the tyre as well as the measurements of the size of the tyre are indicated on the SSTT Installation Manual on the container,” said Jafet. He further explained the process saying “After deflating the tyre, turn the valve into a 6 o’ clock position and insert the liquid as prescribed on the container. The liquid is designed to keep the recycled rubber tyre particles in constant suspension and adheres to the inner tread area as the product remains fluid at all times. When a tyre is punctured, the liquid is forced into the hole by internal air pressure forming a permanent rubber seal,” he added. The gluey product does not only seal punctures but is claimed also to eliminate under-inflating by sealing all leaks while optimising fuel economy.” If a tyre is correctly inflated, it will have less rolling resistance which will result in longer tyre life and better fuel mileage. Poorly inflated tyres resist rolling and cause poor fuel mileage and also wear out faster. With SSTT, tyre repair and maintenance costs are cut,” Jafet said. According to Jafet, Self Sealing Tyre Technology is tested in South Africa and has been approved by the South African Bureau of Standards. He said although similar products have been tested in the past, this is a first of its kind as it is not water-based like the rest. He said the product will soon be available in shops in Windhoek and Oshakati and will be produced and manufactured in the country.
