Carbon Black Rubber Composition for Raw-State Mechanical Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The replacement of natural rubber with synthetic diene elastomers in rubber compositions reinforced with carbon black leads to a reduction in mechanical resistance properties, which is crucial for maintaining dimensional stability and wire gap integrity in tire manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A rubber composition comprising a functional diene elastomer with diene units in the 1,4-cis configuration and pendant groups, combined with a carbon black filler exceeding 50% by mass, maintains mechanical resistance properties similar to those with natural rubber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If natural rubber is replaced by synthetic diene elastomers in carbon black reinforced rubber compositions, then production stability is improved, but mechanical resistance properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction stabilityVSAvoidmechanical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical and structural parameters of the synthetic elastomer by introducing specific functional groups (formula I) and controlling the 1,4-cis configuration content to at least 90%, thereby modifying the elastomer's interaction with carbon black and its mechanical properties in the raw state to match or exceed natural rubber performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite system combining synthetic elastomer with specific functional groups and carbon black filler, where the functional groups enhance the interfacial interaction between the elastomer and carbon black particles, resulting in improved mechanical resistance properties comparable to natural rubber compositions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If natural rubber is replaced by synthetic elastomers, then dependency on natural rubber production is reduced, but dimensional stability in raw state deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction independenceVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the synthetic elastomer's molecular structure by incorporating functional groups (formula I) and ensuring high 1,4-cis configuration content, which changes the material's viscoelastic properties and reduces creep behavior in the raw state, thereby improving dimensional stability for assembly operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If natural rubber is replaced by synthetic elastomers, then supply chain security is improved, but wire gap maintenance capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply chain securityVSAvoidwire gap maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the mechanical properties of the synthetic elastomer by controlling the 1,4-cis configuration content and introducing functional groups, which enhances the material's ability to maintain wire gap in coated fabrics and reinforcing elements during assembly operations, matching the performance of natural rubber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3728338B1Rubber composition
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3728338B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3728338B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3728338B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a rubber composition that is based at least on a functional elastomer and a reinforcing filler comprising a carbon black, the functional elastomer being a diene elastomer that comprises diene units in the 1,4-cis form as well as pendant groups of formula (I) in which the symbols Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 are identical or different and represent an atom or a group of atoms, with the proviso that at least one of the symbols designates an attachment to a diene unit in the elastomer, the diene units in the 1,4-cis form amounting to at least 90 percent by mole of the diene units in the functional elastomer, and the carbon black amounting to more than 50% by weight of the reinforcing filler.