Dow claims 'world's first' with recyclable silicone sealant for tires

MIDLAND, Mich.—Dow Inc. has claimed a "world's first" with the launch of a recyclable silicone self-sealing solution for tires.

SiLastic SST-2650, Dow said in an Oct. 26 announcement, meets self-sealing tire manufacturers' demands for high performance and sustainability while providing a "lighter-weight, safer and more durable solution" compared to existing products on the market.

The sealing material was used in Bridgestone's B-Seal S tires, which will be unveiled during the 2022 Silicone Expo in Detroit in June.

"Dow is dedicated to... improving manufacturer and customer experiences in mobility—and this includes the emerging technology of self-sealing tires," said Jeroen Bello, global marketing director for mobility and transportation.

According to Dow, the sustainability attributes of conventional self-sealing tires is severely limited, resulting in non-recyclable tires.

In addition, the complex high temperature application process, and need for extensive laser cleaning of the tire surface prior to coating, increase energy consumption and environmental impact during production.

The new silicone sealant technology, Dow said, is designed to form a "thin" self-sealing layer on the inner surface of a tire, providing puncture resistance, long-term stability and airtightness.

Unlike most of the conventional sealants on the market, the layer can be separated from tires at the end of life, enabling further recyclability of both tires and silicone.

Dow said it also had enhanced the sealant's processability with reduced cycle time and less processing costs.

This, it said, enables the sealants to be manufactured with standard equipment at room temperature without precleaning and pre-compounding.

Dow said it is looking forward to working with more partners to explore further possibilities of self-sealing tire solutions.