01 What types of equipment can use Air-Seal Products?
These sealants are normally used for puncture prevention in a wide
range of on and off road equipment; for example, heavy earth moving
and other large and medium sized vehicles used for motorway and major
construction projects, landfill and transfer station sites. The tyres
of Large Loading Shovels, Telehandlers, Backhoe's Dumper Trucks of all
sizes, Roll on and Roll Off's, Skidsteers, Tractors, Lorries large and
small right down to the essential wheelbarrow. All of these examples
and many more have all been successfully treated with the recommended
grade of sealant.
02 How will I benefit if I install your sealants?
Our sealants can stop at least 95% of punctures in the tread area from the usual causes.
Slow air leaks are eliminated which means longer tyre life and lower fuel consumption.
Most blowouts are caused by excessive heat build up in the tyre almost always caused by
under inflation. Slow air leaks increase this risk but are prevented if our tyre sealants are used.
Equally important is the fact that our tyre sealants are homogeneous and will not separate at any speed or when the vehicle is stationary.
03 What are the applications for the range of sealants supplied?
Air-Seal Products have five different grade formulations.
Each grade is designed to fit a specific need. The following table gives
a brief outline of the grades and applications.
| GRADE |
APPLICATIONS |
EFFECTIVENESS |
| Armor-Seal |
Usually for off road conditions which are difficult or hazardous
for heavy plant with tyres of 18 ply upwards. |
Punctures up to 1¼ inches(30 mm) and slow air leaks. |
| Hydro-Seal |
Unique product Solely for water ballast fitted tyres. |
Will seal holes in the tread area up to ¼ inche(6.5 mm) effective in tubed & tubeless tyres. |
| Heavy Duty |
Used for on/off road vehicles working in demanding locations. |
Punctures up to 5/8 of an inch (15 mm) and slow air leaks. |
| General Purpose |
Trailers, Ground Care Equipment, Tractors, etc |
As for Heavy Duty. Supplied only in one litre bottles. |
These sealants are NOT recommended in saloon cars. If tyres are treated
with either of theses grades, it is essential that the wheels are correctly balanced
prior to installation and the tyre re-inflated to recommended pressures.
04 Will conventional tyre repair procedures be prevented?
No. If the tyre is damaged beyond the ability
of the sealant to plug the hole, the tyre can be “patched”
or “booted”. The tyre repairer simply needs to wipe the
area around the hole clean and then wipe it with a water soaked rag.
The tyre can then be repaired using normal methods. It is not necessary
to remove the remaining sealant but if there has been a significant
loss, it should be replaced either from a 20 Litre pail or a one Litre
bottle. Care is necessary to avoid the contamination of the sealant
during the repair.
05 Are these sealants effective in both tubeless and tubed tyres?
Yes in both types. It is up to 95% effective in tubeless
and 75% in tubed tyres. Where possible, tubeless tyres are preferred.
06 Can Air-Seal sealants be used to repair a punctured tyre?
Yes. It is possible but their main purpose is to stop punctures. Not every puncture
can be prevented but before treating the tyre it will be necessary to have a foot pump
or a source of compressed air available to re-inflate the tyre to its correct pressure.
When installation is completed. The wheel must be rotated immediately by driving the
vehicle a short distance to allow the plug to be formed to seal the hole.
07 Is it necessary to fully deflate the tyre before installing the sealant?
No. The 20 Litre pails use specially designed pumps which
can install the product in partially inflated tyres.
08 Is an Air Seal sealant plug permanent?
In most cases, when a puncture occurs the hole will be immediately sealed
and the driver will be unaware it has happened.
09 How long will Air-Seal sealants last?
For the legal life of the tyre. These sealants will not react with the rubber and
other constituent materials in the tyre. Most importantly, the components of the
sealant will not separate in use.
10 Are Air-Seal products expensive?
We are confident that our range of sealants have the best technology
and cost benefits which give excellent value for money for the tyres
of every vehicle which is treated. A typical fleet should recover the
cost of treated tyres within about 45 working days.
11 How do Air-Seal Products sealants work?
Our tyre sealants are based on advanced technology which
creates a complex matrix of synthetic fibres and fillers in a liquid
suspension. When a puncture occurs, the escaping air forces the sealant
to form a plug which seals the leak instantly with almost no air loss.
As the tyre flexes under load, the fibre/filler mass compresses to form
a dense and permanent seal. This process is the same whether or not
the penetrating object stays in the tyre. This process is repeated for
every additional puncture. If there are other air losses from tyre porosity,
or between rim and bead and even pinhole leaks in the rims these will
also be sealed.
12 How are these sealants installed?
They are supplied in 20 Litre pails with an Installation
Pump and a Comprehensive Instruction Manual which includes Quick Reference
Application Charts. The pump is of all metal construction specially
designed for a long service life if properly maintained.
13 Is the amount of Air-Seal tyre sealant installed in the tyre important?
Yes. It is most important that the recommendation quantities are installed
in the tyre to be treated. The recommended application rates will ensure
the maximum benefit and give protection for the legal life of the tyre.
14 When I get a puncture, should I let the vehicle stand while the plug cures?
No. In fact the tyre should be used at once. The more
the vehicle is used, the better the plug will be. If you remove a puncturing
object, we recommend that you immediately use the vehicle. Rotation
of the tyres is important in the sealing process. The plug is mechanically
formed. It is not a product of a chemical reaction. The plug is formed
within seconds and the puncture is sealed with almost no air loss. With
Air-Seal tyre sealant you may not even know you have had a puncture.
15 Do Air-Seal sealants have a "shelf life"?
These sealants have an indefinite life span. After installing
the product, if any remains it is recommended that the lid of the pail
is replaced to avoid the possibility that some ‘skinning’
may form. Should this happen, it will easily be stirred in ready for
the next installation.
16 Will Air-Seal sealants corrode or rust my wheels?
No. There will be no corrosion or rust. Aluminium
rims are also protected. Any corrosion will be stopped when the sealant
is installed.
17 Could these sealants corrode the steel belting in my tyres?
No. Air-Seal sealants provide three way protection. Firstly,
corrosion inhibitors in the formulations will protect the steel belting.
Second, the plug formed by the sealant will keep water from penetrating
through the hole in the tyre into the belting. Third by keeping the
tyre inflated, the normal pressure is maintained which in turn prevents
inward water seepage.
18 Could the sealants damage the rubber or other materials used in the wheel/tyre assembly?
No. There is no reaction between the sealants and these materials.
19 Do Air-Seal products require stirring before installation?
No. These sealants are supplied ready for use and stirring is not needed.
20 Are Air-Seal sealants water washable?
All our range of sealants are water washable and do not
stick to the tyre rims and beads. When necessary will be easily flushed
out of the tyre with cold water and normal tap pressure.
21 Are Air-Seal sealants a hazard to the environment?
These sealants contain ethylene glycol which is also
used in anti freeze products which are not regarded as hazardous. These
formulations do not contain either caustic or acidic materials. If there
is a spillage, clean up using absorbent materials and wash down the
area with water. C.O.S.H.H. Substance Report and Risk Assessment Sheets
for these sealants are available.
22 Is exposure of these sealants hazardous to humans?
These sealants are neither acidic nor caustic and contain
no volatile organic compounds. Ethylene glycol is safe to handle but
we recommend the use of safety glasses or a face shield and gloves during
installation. Wash with soap and water after handling the product. The
product must not be swallowed: a large quantity could cause illness or even death.
C.O.S.H.H. Substance Reports and Risk Assessment Sheets are available.
23 Will these sealants freeze in cold weather?
The freeze point for all Air-Seal sealant is -35ºC
Air-Seal Products, Unit 8E Greenham Business
Park, Greenham, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 0LR, United Kingdom.
Telephone 01823 674411 Fax 01823 674486
www.air-sealproducts.co.uk