Bio-Based Tire Sidewall Rubber Composition With Breaking Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire manufacturers seek to reduce the environmental footprint of tire production while maintaining mechanical properties, particularly tear resistance, by replacing petroleum-based materials with bio-based alternatives without compromising safety and performance.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition for tire sidewalls using a plasticizing system composed of esters of fatty acids with alcohols or diol dimers, combined with an isoprene and butadiene elastomer matrix and carbon black filler, to enhance breaking strength and maintain low-strain stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If petroleum-based plasticizers are replaced with bio-based plasticizers, then environmental footprint is reduced, but mechanical properties (breaking strength and tear resistance) may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the plasticizer by selecting specific bio-based esters with controlled molecular weight ranges (500-5000 g/mol) and specific chemical structures (fatty acid esters of diol dimers). This parameter optimization ensures the plasticizer maintains proper interaction with the elastomer matrix, achieving both environmental sustainability and mechanical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite plasticizing system combining multiple bio-based ester components with the elastomer matrix (isoprene and butadiene). This composite approach allows the plasticizer system to provide both environmental benefits and mechanical reinforcement, with the specific ester structures contributing to breaking strength while maintaining low-strain stiffness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bio-based plasticizers are used to reduce environmental impact, then compositional uniformity must be maintained, but compatibility with other rubber compound components may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the bio-based esters, including molecular weight (500-5000 g/mol) and chemical structure characteristics. These controlled parameters ensure consistent interaction with the elastomer matrix and other components, maintaining compositional uniformity while achieving environmental sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects bio-based esters with specific homogeneous chemical structures (fatty acid esters of diol dimers) that ensure uniform distribution and compatibility within the rubber compound matrix. This structural homogeneity prevents phase separation and maintains compositional stability throughout the product lifecycle.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bio-based plasticizers are used to replace petroleum-based products, then environmental sustainability is improved, but low-strain stiffness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the bio-based esters (500-5000 g/mol) to achieve the right balance between plasticizing effect and stiffness maintenance. The specific molecular weight range ensures the plasticizer molecules are small enough to provide flexibility but large enough to maintain structural integrity at low strains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional petroleum-based mechanical plasticizers with bio-based ester molecules that provide plasticizing functionality through different molecular mechanisms. The ester groups form specific interactions with the elastomer chains, maintaining low-strain stiffness through molecular-level interactions rather than simple physical lubrication.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rubber composition based on at least: - 100 phr of an elastomer matrix comprising an isoprene elastomer and a butadiene elastomer; - 20 to 120 phr of a reinforcing filler comprising carbon black as the predominant filler; - 5 to 120 phr of a plasticizing system comprising, as a bio-based plasticizer, an ester of a fatty acid and of an alcohol chosen from fatty alcohols and diol dimers, having a weight average molar mass (Mw) of less than 5000g/mol determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), the method being described in the description; - a cross-linking system.