Clark Seals was approached by a leading manufacturer of Tire Pressure Control Systems (TPCS) to tackle a critical challenge: reducing air leakage in the system's seals. Tire pressure control systems play a vital role in maintaining proper tire inflation in semi-trailers, which in turn extends tire life, improves fuel economy, and helps prevent tire failure. Therefore, minimizing air leakage in these systems is crucial for optimal performance.

While the existing seals demonstrated good wear resistance and longevity, they allowed relatively high levels of air permeability. This issue was not new to the manufacturer, as previous attempts by various leading seal companies to reduce the air permeability of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) seals had been unsuccessful.

Clark Seals decided to focus on the core material itself—PTFE. They engaged four leading PTFE producers and tasked them with developing a new PTFE compound that could both minimize air permeability and maximize wear resistance. After several months of development, four new PTFE compounds were provided for testing. Two compounds failed to meet expectations, one performed similarly to the current seal, but one compound stood out—reducing air permeability by an impressive 80%.