Crumb Rubber Composition for Tyre Tread Performance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tyre manufacturers face challenges in reducing the costs of rubber compositions without compromising the performance of tyres, particularly in achieving optimal rolling resistance, wear resistance, and tear strength.

Innovation Solution

A rubber composition comprising an elastomer, a reinforcing filler, a crosslinking system, and a crumb rubber with an isoprene elastomer content greater than 50 phr and a chloroform extract of less than 10,000 g/mol molecular weight, which is used in the tread of tyres for improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional crumb rubber is used in tyre compositions, then cost reduction is achieved, but rolling resistance, wear resistance and tear strength properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidperformance properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by specifying precise compositional parameters for the crumb rubber: isoprene elastomer content greater than 50 phr and chloroform extract molecular weight less than 10,000 g/mol. These parameter specifications transform conventional crumb rubber into a optimized material that simultaneously achieves cost-effectiveness and superior performance in rolling resistance, wear resistance, and tear strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If crumb rubber with high isoprene elastomer content and low molecular weight chloroform extract is used, then performance properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance propertiesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise compositional parameters for the crumb rubber: isoprene elastomer content greater than 50 phr and chloroform extract molecular weight less than 10,000 g/mol. These parameter specifications transform conventional crumb rubber into a optimized material that simultaneously achieves cost-effectiveness and superior performance in rolling resistance, wear resistance, and tear strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11028254B2Rubber composition comprising a specific crumb rubber
Publication Date: 2021.06.08 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

A rubber composition is based on at least an elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a crosslinking system and a crumb rubber, said crumb having an isoprene elastomer content of greater than 50 phr in the composition of the crumb and a chloroform extract with a weight-average molecular weight of less than 10 000 g/mol.