Blocked-Isocyanate Silane for Silica-Filled Rubber Processability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Silica-filled rubber compositions used in tires face challenges such as high unvulcanized viscosity, poor filler dispersion, and reduced rupture strength and wear resistance, which hinder their processability and performance in high-load applications like truck or bus tires, while also requiring improvements in fuel consumption and rupture resistance.
Innovation Solution
A rubber compounding ingredient containing a specific organosilicon compound with a blocked isocyanate group and a hydrolyzable silyl group is used, which improves the dispersion of inorganic fillers and enhances the chemical bonding between the filler and rubber matrix, resulting in a composition that maintains processability and achieves desired low fuel consumption and wear resistance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If silica-filled rubber composition is used to reduce rolling resistance and improve wet grip, then fuel consumption performance is improved, but unvulcanized viscosity increases and processability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a silane-modified rubber compound as an intermediary substance that mediates between the silica filler and the rubber matrix. This compound contains both silane groups (for bonding with silica) and rubber polymer chains (for compatibility with the rubber matrix), thereby improving filler dispersion and reducing viscosity without sacrificing fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of silica filler, silane-modified rubber compound, and additional rubber polymers. This composite structure combines the advantages of silica-filled rubber (low rolling resistance) with the benefits of silane modification (improved processability), achieving both fuel efficiency and manufacturability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If inorganic fillers are simply loaded to improve fuel consumption, then rolling resistance is reduced, but filler dispersion deteriorates and rupture strength drops
Solution Approach 1:
The silane-modified rubber compound serves as a mediator that chemically bridges the inorganic silica filler and the organic rubber matrix. The silane groups bond with silica surface hydroxyl groups, while the rubber polymer chains integrate with the matrix, ensuring uniform dispersion and maintaining rupture strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the rubber compound by introducing silane modification. This chemical modification alters the surface properties and reactivity of the rubber, enabling better interaction with silica filler and improving both dispersion and mechanical strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds are used to improve filler dispersion, then dispersion is enhanced, but chemical bond strength between filler and matrix may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the organosilicon compound from sulfur-containing groups to silane-containing groups. This parameter change transforms the bonding mechanism from sulfur-based crosslinking to silane-based condensation bonding, which forms stronger and more stable chemical bonds with both silica and rubber.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane-modified rubber compound acts as a chemical intermediary that facilitates strong bonding between filler and matrix through silane-silica condensation reactions, creating stable chemical bonds that superior to sulfur-containing compounds.
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 rubber composition with the organosilicon compound exhibits excellent processability and maintains hardness and tensile properties, achieving the desired low fuel consumption and wear resistance performance while improving the overall tire performance.
Implementation Method 1
a compound having a blocked isocyanate group and a hydrolyzable silyl group
Implementation Method 2
hydrolyzable silyl group
Implementation Method 3
a compound having a blocked isocyanate group and a hydrolyzable silyl group
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber compounding ingredient containing (A) a compound having a blocked isocyanate group and a hydrolyzable silyl group, such as an organosilicon compound having the following formula (1):wherein R1 is each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, L is a divalent linking group, X is —O— or —NR2—, Z is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group, R2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or a group capable of bonding to Z to form a ring structure, and m is an integer of 1 to 3.