Amine-Functionalized Diene Elastomer for Tire Tread Hysteresis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rubber compositions with diene elastomers functionalized by alkoxysilane derivatives do not adequately reduce hysteresis and improve mechanical properties for use in tire treads, despite efforts to enhance interaction with reinforcing fillers like carbon black and silica.

Innovation Solution

A diene elastomer predominantly coupled by an alkoxysilane group carrying a tertiary or secondary amine function, which significantly reduces hysteresis and enhances mechanical properties when used in rubber compositions, particularly in tire tread applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If diene elastomers are functionalized with alkoxysilane derivatives to enhance interaction with reinforcing fillers, then filler interaction is improved, but hysteresis reduction and mechanical property improvement are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiller interactionVSAvoidhysteresis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining diene elastomer with both alkoxysilane groups and amine functions, creating a multi-functional polymer system. This composite structure enables simultaneous interaction with different filler types (carbon black and silica) while reducing hysteresis and improving mechanical properties, as the combination of functional groups provides synergistic effects that neither group achieves alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by introducing specific functional groups (amine functions) at particular locations on the elastomer chains (end chains and along the chain). This localized functionalization allows different regions of the polymer to interact differently with fillers, optimizing both filler interaction and hysteresis reduction by placing the right functional groups in the right positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If elastomers are functionalized with alkoxysilane functions carrying amine groups, then hysteresis is reduced, but raw processing properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehysteresisVSAvoidraw processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the proportion of coupled elastomer in the mixture (at least 50% by mass) and adjusting the types and amounts of alkoxysilane coupling agents used. These parameter adjustments optimize the balance between hysteresis reduction and raw processing properties, ensuring that the functionalized elastomer maintains satisfactory implementability in its non-crosslinked state while achieving the desired dynamic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If diene copolymers are modified by functionalization or coupling agents to improve polymer-filler interaction, then mechanical properties are enhanced, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-functionalizing the diene elastomer with alkoxysilane groups and amine functions during polymerization or subsequent modification steps. This preliminary functionalization is performed before compounding with fillers, simplifying the overall processing by eliminating the need for complex in-situ functionalization steps and allowing straightforward mixing with reinforcing fillers to achieve the desired mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The coupled elastomer composition exhibits improved raw processing and mechanical dynamics, with reduced hysteresis and enhanced suitability for tire tread use, maintaining satisfactory implementation and properties in both crosslinked and non-crosslinked states.

Implementation Method 1

modification of a diene elastomer by a coupling agent introducing into the elastomeric chain an amino-alkoxysilane group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

reducing hysteresis of mixtures is a permanent objective... exhibits improved raw processing and mechanical dynamics, with reduced hysteresis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2285852B1Elastomer mixture mainly comprising a diene elastomer coupled by an amino-alkoxysilane group, rubber composition including same and methods for obtaining same

Publication Date: 2015.11.04 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

The invention relates to an elastomer mixture resulting from the modification of a diene elastomer by a coupling agent that inserts an alkoxysilane bearing a tertiary or secondary amine function into the elastomer chain. The mixture mainly comprises a diene elastomer coupled by the alkoxysilane group bearing a tertiary or secondary amine function bonded to the diene elastomer via the silicon atom. The invention also relates to a reinforced rubber composition which can be used in particular to make tyres and which comprises a reinforcing filler as well as an elastomer matrix including at least said elastomer mixture, and to a method for preparing same. The composition has improved hysteretic and mechanical properties in the vulcanised state and improved processability in the green state.