Basalt Fibre Reinforced Rubber Tyre Compound
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of trialkoxymercaptoalkyl-silanes in rubber tyre compounds improves rolling resistance but compromises abrasion resistance, and increasing silica content to enhance abrasion resistance comes at the expense of rolling resistance improvements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating short basalt fibres with a specific length/diameter ratio and coating them with a silane bonding agent into the rubber tyre compound, along with trialkoxymercaptoalkyl-silanes, to enhance both abrasion and rolling resistance without compromising performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If trialkoxymercaptoalkyl-silanes are used to reduce rolling resistance, then rolling resistance improves, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines basalt fibres with silica and trialkoxymercaptoalkyl-silanes to create a composite compound. The basalt fibres (1-20 phr) provide mechanical reinforcement and abrasion resistance, while the silica-silane system maintains rolling resistance benefits. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of both performance targets that cannot be met with single additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for basalt fibres (length/diameter ratio of 20-2000, preferably 100-300) and optimizes the content of both basalt fibres (1-20 phr) and silica (20-80 phr). By carefully controlling these parameters, the compound achieves the optimal balance between abrasion resistance and rolling resistance.
2Reliability
If silica content is increased to improve abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance improves, but rolling resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a three-component composite system combining basalt fibres, silica, and trialkoxymercaptoalkyl-silanes. The basalt fibres take over part of the reinforcement function, allowing reduced silica content while maintaining abrasion resistance. This enables the silica-silane system to focus on providing low rolling resistance without the trade-off of excessive silica loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the reinforcement function between two distinct components: basalt fibres primarily provide abrasion resistance and mechanical strength, while silica-silane primarily provides rolling resistance reduction. This functional segmentation allows each component to optimize its performance without interfering with the other, resolving the traditional trade-off.
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 addition of basalt fibres with a silane bonding agent improves abrasion resistance while maintaining rolling resistance improvements, as demonstrated by test results showing balanced performance across compounds containing these features.
Implementation Method 1
Silica is used in conjunction with silane bonding agents, which bond with silanol groups to prevent silica particles from forming hydrogen bonds, and at the same time bond the silica chemically to the polymer base.
Implementation Method 2
Silane bonding agents, which bond with silanol groups to prevent silica particles from forming hydrogen bonds
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber tyre compound having a polymer base; a curing system, which cures the polymer base by means of heating; and basalt fibres with a length/diameter ratio ranging from 20 to 2000.