Aromatic Resins: When you spray Fix-a-Flat into your tire, these resins are used to keep the latex and plastics in place.Polymeric Olefins: Part of the plastic-petroleum family, this combines with the polymer latex to form a stronger and more flexible seal.Heavy Aromatic Solvent Naphtha: Related to the same stuff in lighter fluid, this chemical acts as a binder to hold the other ingredients together inside your tire.Polymer Latex: A solution that foams up to plug your tire, latex is also used in paint, clothing, and more.Let’s briefly check out those ingredients and what they do in Fix-a-Flat. You’re probably wondering, “What about the sealant? Surely that’s magic.” Nope! The latex emulsion that actually plugs your tire is composed of several different chemicals with nearly unpronounceable names, and they each serve a critical function in keeping your tire plugged. The propellant of choice is hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-134a, which is also used in A/C units to keep your house cool. When you use Fix-a-Flat, the liquid evaporates into a gas and expands to fill your tire. The propellant inside is a gas at room temperature but compresses down to a fraction of its gaseous size to fit within the can as a liquid. No, we promise it isn’t magic-it’s taking advantage of the phase change that happens when gas becomes liquid. For instance, you’ve probably wondered how that tiny 16-ounce can is able to inflate your tire. Sounds simple, right? Well, it’s a bit more complex than that. The propellant goes into your tire, and the latex emulsion hardens and seals itself within the hole. When you plug the can up into your tire and press the button, the propellant and air inside force the latex tire sealant out and into your tire.

Fix-a-Flat really boils down to two things: liquid propellant and a liquid latex tire sealant. You’re probably thinking a useful product like Fix-a-Flat must be obscenely complicated, but you’d be wrong. In this article, we’ll cover exactly what’s in Fix-a-Flat, how it works, and much more. This miracle product is a must-have in every car emergency kit, but few people know exactly what it does. Fix-a-Flat gets you going just long enough to change or otherwise plug the tire, but it’s not magic. We’ve all been there: you’re driving down the road when your tire suddenly gives out.

How does fix a flat work