Blocked Mercaptosilane Coupling for Tire Rubber Wet Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silanes used in rubber compounds for vehicle tires do not adequately improve rolling resistance, grip behavior, especially wet grip, and stiffness, which are crucial for tire performance.
Innovation Solution
A novel silane with a blocked mercaptosilane structure that allows for two polymer attachments, enhancing the bonding of silica to polymers, thereby improving the property profile of rubber compounds, including rolling resistance, grip, and stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional silanes with single polymer attachment sites are used, then the silica bonding is achieved, but the rolling resistance behavior and grip behavior are not adequately improved
Solution Approach 1:
The silane molecule is segmented into distinct functional regions: a central trivalent unit (Y) providing multiple attachment points, silyl groups for silica bonding, and blocked mercaptan groups for polymer bonding. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between achieving adequate silica bonding and improving rolling resistance behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane represents a composite molecular structure combining different functional groups (silyl, amine/ phosphine/ carboxylic acid, blocked mercaptan) within a single molecule. This composite approach enables simultaneous interaction with both silica and polymer, creating a bridging effect that improves rolling resistance behavior without requiring separate additives.
2Reliability
If silanes with multiple reactive sulfur groups are used to bond silica to multiple polymers, then the grip behavior improves, but the stiffness and handling predictors deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The silane structure implements local quality by providing different functional groups at different locations: the silyl group locally bonds to silica, the central trivalent unit provides structural integrity, and the blocked mercaptan groups locally bond to polymers. This localized functionality allows grip behavior improvement without compromising overall stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of mercaptan group availability by using blocked mercaptan groups that are protected and only become active under specific conditions. This parameter change allows controlled polymer bonding that improves grip behavior while maintaining stiffness by preventing premature or excessive crosslinking.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional silane coupling agents are used, then the processability is improved, but the wet grip characteristics are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The silane is applied to silica in a preliminary step before rubber compound formulation, allowing the silane-silica complex to be pre-formed with optimal bonding characteristics. This preliminary action ensures that the silica surface is properly prepared for subsequent polymer interaction, improving wet grip characteristics without affecting the ease of manufacture of the final compound.
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 novel silane improves the handling and grip performance of vehicle tires by optimizing the property profile of rubber compounds, leading to better handling and wet grip characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The silica is bonded to the polymer(s) by means of such silanes... the silane typically contains at least one sulfur group, which is involved in the vulcanization of the rubber compound
Implementation Method 2
the silane can also bind to polymers by reaction of the Sx or SH group or the S-SG group after removal of the protecting group during sulfur vulcanization
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a silane, a rubber compound containing the silane, and a vehicle tire incorporating the rubber compound in at least one component, as well as a method for producing the silane. The silane according to the invention has the following formula: (R1)oSi-[R2-X]m-R2-Y(-R2-[X-R2-]mS-R3)2, wherein, according to the invention, it comprises the trivalent unit Y and, via the two units (-R2-[X-R2-]mS-R3), two polymer-reactive groups. The rubber compound according to the invention contains at least one silane according to the invention.