An Advance in Tyre Repairing I NTRODUCED about two years ago,
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the Bowes Seal Fast system of repairing tyre tubes and covers has, we learn, won considerable popularity among commercial-vehicle operators, and the claims made for it have been well proved. As a result a new factory has now been established for the production of the materials needed.
Last week we witnessed a demonstration of this process by A.P.A. (Automotive Parts and Accessories, Ltd.), 3324, Euston Road, London, N.W.1, which concern is handling this product of the Bowes Seal Fast Corporation (Great Britain), Ltd., and formed the opinion that it constitutes a satisfactory method of obtaining at low cost the full length of service from part." worn tyres that haye been clainaged by cuts, punctures, etc.
The. principle of the repair is the atn46 tachment of a patch in a manner that in effect is the equivalent of vulcanizing. The patching material is a three-ply substance comprising three layers, one of cured rubber, the next of semi-cured rubber and sulphur, and the third of uncured rubber, described as a special face gum: Before application, the surface of the tube or coyer is treated with a solvent which .renders the .rubber equivalent to the uncured surface of the patching unit When the two make contact they knit together, and the heat
generated by using the tyre on the road cures the jointing rubber, so that the patch becomes actually a part of the tube.
In the case of a cut in a cover, the edges are first bevelled, then the hole is filled with rubber dough and, finally, a large patch, incorporating several layers of cord, is applied in the same way as for a tube.
Whilst the cost of repairing a nail hole in a tube is hardly more than a penny, the larger cover-repair sections cost several shillings each, according to size, but in view of the fact that they save many pounds, the outlay is small in proportion. Moreover, the repair is quickly executed.
We understand that among the many users of Seal Past are the four main railway companies, the Shell-Mex
concern, and Cardiff City Council.