(September 23, 2015) A cut or torn tire usually means one thing — you have to buy
a new one. But some day, that could change. For the first time, scientists have
made tire-grade rubber without the processing step — vulcanization — that has
been essential to inflatable tires since their invention. The resulting
material heals itself and could potentially withstand the long-term pressures
of driving. Their report appears in the journal ACS Applied Materials &
Interfaces.
Vulcanization involves adding sulfur or other curatives to
make rubber more durable while maintaining its elasticity. But once an errant
piece of glass or other sharp object pierces a tire, it can’t be patched for
long-term use. Researchers are beginning to develop self-healing rubber in the
laboratory, but these prototypes might not be stable over time either. Amit Das
and colleagues wanted to address that shortcoming.