Polymer Expert Evaluates Source Of Allegedly Defective Tire Failure

Case Overview

This case involves a woman who sustained a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident. While the woman was driving approximately 70 mph on the highway, her back tire failed, causing her to crash into the car behind her. The driver’s motorcycle used a tire with a spoked rim. After examination, it was determined that the tire was not defective, but rather, the loss of air from the rim may have attributed to the crash. Because of the unique nature of the wheel and rim, a rubber rim seal was placed on the rim to prevent chafing. It was also discovered in the examination that that rim seal completely detached from the air valve. An expert in polymerization was sought to review the case.

Questions to the Chemistry expert and their responses

Please describe your experience with polymerization and/or manufacturing of motorcycle airtubes.

I have a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and have worked as a polymer chemist for about 35 years. I was part of a group that studied rubber products for military applications for about 7 years. I have worked for the US government, for universities, for privately held small businesses and for a medium-sized manufacturer of polymer products. I have worked as a consulting polymer chemist for 5+ years. I am familiar with polymerization of tire or inner tub rubber.

Will you be able to determine the potential effects the rim seal detaching from the air valve?

With more information, I believe that I can determine the effects of the rim seal detaching from the air valve.

About the expert

This expert is a polymer chemist with experience in formulation, curing and characterization of polymers, including adhesives and rubber applications, thermal, light and electron beam cured epoxies, acrylates, vinyl esters, polyurethane and various other elastomers such as rubber. She received her BS in chemistry from Manhattanville College where she graduated with honors and her PhD in organic polymer chemistry from the University of Connecticut. In the past, she has worked as an adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Suffolk and as al laboratory facilities manager at MIT. She is currently a consulting chemist for a chemical testing consulting firm in Massachusetts.