Azasilane Modifier for Silica-Polymer Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conjugated diene-based polymers used in tire rubber face challenges in achieving high affinity with silica fillers, leading to poor dispersibility and insufficient coupling, which affects the tire's wet skid resistance and rolling resistance.
Innovation Solution
A modified conjugated diene-based polymer incorporating an azasilane-based modifier with a functional group, such as a secondary amino group, is introduced to enhance the affinity with silica fillers, improving dispersibility and coupling within the rubber composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silica is used as reinforcing filler, then hysteresis loss is reduced and wet skid resistance is improved, but dispersibility is poor due to low affinity with rubber
Solution Approach 1:
A silane coupling agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the hydrophilic silica surface and the hydrophobic rubber matrix. The coupling agent contains both silane groups that bond with silica and organic functional groups that are compatible with rubber, thereby mediating the interface and improving dispersibility while maintaining the beneficial effects of silica reinforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The surface properties of silica are modified by changing its chemical composition through silane treatment. By adjusting the silane coupling agent composition and treatment parameters, the surface energy and chemical composition of silica are altered to improve compatibility with the rubber matrix, thereby enhancing dispersibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If solution polymerization is used for SBR, then vinyl structure content and styrene content can be arbitrarily adjusted, but coupling force with filler is insufficient without modification
Solution Approach 1:
Functional groups are introduced at the chain terminals of the polymer during the polymerization process itself, before the rubber is compounded with fillers. This preliminary modification ensures that the coupling capability is built into the polymer structure from the beginning, enabling effective filler interaction without requiring additional modification steps
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer structure is designed as a composite system combining the base SBR chain with terminal functional groups that have specific affinity for filler surfaces. This creates a multi-component structure where the polymer chain provides mechanical properties while the terminal groups provide coupling functionality, achieving both structure flexibility and strong filler interaction
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 modified polymer composition exhibits improved tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and reduced rolling resistance, enhancing the physical properties of tires while preventing filler agglomeration and improving processability.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the active polymer with an azasilane-based modifier represented by Formula 1
Implementation Method 2
enhance the affinity with silica fillers, improving dispersibility and coupling within the rubber composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an azasilane-based modifier of Formula 1, which may easily introduce a functional group having affinity with a filler into a conjugated diene-based polymer chain, a modified and conjugated diene-based polymer including the functional group derived from the azasilane-based modifier, a method for preparing the modified and conjugated diene-based polymer, a rubber composition including the modified and conjugated diene-based polymer, and a molded article and a tire manufactured from the rubber composition.