It is very important that you understand two aspects regarding the performance characteristics of a tyre, in order to fully comprehend how Ultraseal Tyre Life Extender/sealer actually functions, along with and as part of the tyre.
WHAT IS RUBBER RECOVERY?
Rubber recovery within a tyre, is very important in conjunction with Ultraseal. When a tyre is punctured, the rubber is forced open by the penetrating object. The wound is actually much smaller than the puncturing object.
Rubber has memory and it will recover to its original shape after being subjected to adverse conditions or stress factors. When the penetrating object is removed, the rubber recovers and the wound closes (a tyre that is old, worn out and/or dry rotted will have little or no rubber recovery).
A penetrating object left in a tyre for any extended period of time causes the rubber to temporarily lose its ability to recover. After removing the puncturing object, it is recommended to immediately flex the tyre to reactivate the rubber's memory. As the wound closes, Ultraseal is held in place by the strength and integrity of the tyre and will then create a positive secure repair/clot.
WHAT IS TYRE FLEXING?
Tyres are constantly flexing when a vehicle is driven. The weight of the vehicle, the irregular surface of the road, and the turning of the tyres create a substantial amount of flexing.
Once the puncturing object is removed, it is important for the Ultraseal repair/clot to be forced into and through a wound. Once this is accomplished the repair/clot cures and becomes a positive secure seal.
Manual tyre flexing (off the vehicle) can be accomplished by removing the puncturing object and then striking the tyre several times with a mallet around the wound area and/or bouncing the tyre against the ground. This method creates a temporary repair that will become positive once the tyre is installed onto the vehicle and driven approximately 3 to 5 miles.
IS IT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND TYRE CONSTRUCTION?
NO! There are many variables in tyre construction. In order for a tyre sealant to function properly the tyre sealant manufacturer must have knowledge of the sealant and tyre compatibility, plus have the knowledge and ability to perform exhaustive testing that will assure that the sealant new or used is compatible.
Compatibility and chemical composition is important when a sealant is new in order to meet M.S.D.S. (Material Safety Data Sheet) requirements, but most importantly is what happens to the tyre sealant formulation after it has been run a few thousand miles, and exposed to the normal heat in a tyre and the shear and stress that results from the centrifugal force generated in a rolling tyre.
Most generic tyre sealants can become toxic and/or an environmental hazard. Heat buildup is an important factor and the primary reason average generic tyre sealants fail to perform as claimed.
HOW DOES ULTRASEAL PRODUCE A POSITIVE/SECURE REPAIR ? Once the initial driving/usage period has been attained (7km), Ultraseal will be thoroughly distributed throughout the entire inner surface of the tyre/wheel assembly. Ultraseal lays a 2-3mm coating which has the ability to remain suspended on to the tyre/rim assembly's entire inner air cavity, .
Thixogel™ is the proprietary attribute that prevents Ultraseal's formulation from separating and/or migrating to the tread area.
Ultraseal is a liquid coating that conditions the inner surface and eliminates porosity and bead leaks as minute amounts of air attempt to escape. Ultraseal continuously stands on guard to protect tyres against air loss from punctures for the tyres legal tread life.
When a tyre is punctured, Ultraseal is forced against and around the puncturing object by the inner air pressure, thereby preventing air from escaping.
If the puncturing object is thrown out of the tyre by centrifugal force or is pulled out, the inside air forces Ultraseal into the wound and immediately stops air loss. Special fibers entwine, forming a clot, then as the rubber recovers (see rubber recovery), aided by the flexing of the rotating tyre, the inner air pressure forces the repair/clot well into and through the wound.
Once Ultraseal is exposed to outside air, a unique chemical curing process begins. The repair/clot extends well into and through the wound and once cured provides a repair that is impervious to water (rain, snow, mud, etc.).
The cured repair/clot, is then transposed into a positive rubberized seal, thereby protecting the inner casing and steel belts by preventing outside contaminants from leaching into the wound.
WILL ULTRASEAL CURE OR HARDEN INSIDE OF THE TYRE ?
People often ask "If Ultraseal cures from exposure to outside air, then why does it not cure by the air inside of the tyre?"
As the vehicle is driven and the temperature of the tyre increases, a portion of Ultraseal's liquid base evaporates within the tyres inner air cavity, as the tyre cools, the vaporized liquid condensates back into the formula. The inside air actually becomes part of the Ultraseal system.
The sealed air chamber prevents outside air from entering or inside air from escaping. Constant air pressure resetting's are not required. tyres and air pressure should be inspected during routine Preventative Maintenance (PM) programs.
WHAT IS THIX-O-GEL™ ?
It is extremely important to understand how Ultraseal's Thix-o-gel™ performs (Thix-o-gel™ is a proprietary process not found in any other tyre sealant).
Thix-o-gel™ allows Ultraseal to cling to the inner sidewalls and the entire inner surface of a properly balanced and true (round) tyre/rim. The centrifugal force that is created within a high speed tyre actually stretches the Thix-o-gel™ much like a rubber band, however, it will not pull the Ultraseal off the inner surface of a properly balanced tyre/rim.
A sufficiently out of round and/or out of balance tyre/rim can create enough adverse force that could pull the coating of Ultraseal from the tyres inner sidewalls. If a tyre/rim requires an excessive amount of weights to be installed to achieve a 00 reading on the balancer, the tyre/rim should be inspected for defects and corrected prior to installing Ultraseal. Ultraseal can not correct an existing problem and may aggravate an adverse situation.
The proper amount of Ultraseal for highway speed vehicles has been scientifically calculated to provide the proper coating to the inner surface of the tyre/rim, allowing for absorption into the casing, yet still maintain a reserve.
The reserve (approximately 20% of the installed amount) is extra Ultraseal that will shift/move. Only the reserve will settle to the bottom of the tyre when the vehicle stops. The reserve constantly redistributes as the tyre rotates, thereby continually providing an even coating. Each time a puncture occurs, a small amount of reserve is used.