TAGS: Sealants
SILCA launches SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant and SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant Replenisher for cycles. The sealant contains recycled carbon fiber that seals quicker and can handle bigger punctures.
SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant Replenisher will extend the effectiveness of the sealant for up to nine months longer.
Sealant Uses Foaming Latex Formula
SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant uses the power of a foaming latex formula combined with chopped carbon fibers to boost sealing power even at higher pressures. Ultimate Tubeless Sealant contains 5% by volume, 6, 9, and 12mm chopped carbon fibers that have been reclaimed from recycled bicycles, carbon wheels, race cars, and aircraft components.
A unique foaming latex formula allows for the very lightweight carbon fibers to be evenly dispersed within the sealant while riding, which allows for a higher fiber content than possible with Kevlar or fiberglass.
At this high fiber loading, bundles of carbon fiber are carried directly to the puncture by the sealant flow where thousands of micro-bubbles collapse on each other, depositing their high stiffness carbon fibers over the hole. During this process, the carbon fibers form a dam of fibers against the tire casing not unlike a beaver dam of sticks blocking the flow of a stream. This dam of high stiffness/high strength fibers has been shown to seal holes in testing up to 7.5mm, some 25% larger than conventional technologies.
Carbon Fiber is Key
This is where the magic of carbon fiber comes into play. Having the highest stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratio of any sealant additive, the combination of very light carbon fibers combined with foaming technology guarantees excellent, even dispersion throughout the sealant so that they can very quickly be carried to a puncture when it occurs. The stiffness of these fibers means that they immediately begin bridging and damming the puncture as soon as it occurs, rapidly capturing subsequent fibers behind them as more sealant exits the hole. This rapid sealing effect means that punctures seal faster and with less air pressure loss.
FiberFoam® technology is so effective that it actually makes SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant impossible to pump through a valve or into a syringe. In the testing, the fiber dam was able to plug syringe holes up to 8 mm when filling and will plug the valve every single time, so it must be poured into the tire upon installation. SILCA Ultimate Replenisher, a version of the sealant with no carbon fiber and a few percentages higher anti-freeze, which is capable of replenishing old sealant while also being “pumpable” through a syringe.
Specifications of SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant
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The sealing power of race-specific formulas (6+mm holes) with the longevity of long-lasting formulas (120-180 days)
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FiberFoam® technology uses a blend of 6mm, 9mm, and 12mm long carbon fibers which are 400% stiffer than glass fibers with better dispersion in the sealant to bridge punctures for faster sealing with less air loss
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Must be poured into the tire during the tire installation! Ultimate Sealant will plug any syringe or valve hole you try to pump it through!
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Effective down to 10°F / -12°C
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Sealant will be available in three sizes: 250 ml, 500 ml, and 1000 ml for $18, $24, $38 USD* respectively
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Replenisher will be available as a 125 ml package for $12 USD
Sources: SILCA