Cyclic Olefin Copolymer TPV for Vibration Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) currently lack superior vibration damping and elastic properties, particularly at temperatures ranging from 0-90°C, with high compression set values and inadequate mechanical properties for applications in electric vehicles, where traditional EPDM rubbers and polypropylene (PP) matrices fall short in balancing vibration damping and processability.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic vulcanizate composition incorporating a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) matrix with cross-linked EPDM rubber particles, where the COC provides enhanced vibration damping and elastic properties by adjusting the glass transition temperature and incorporating an oil to achieve a compression set of 15-50% and a vibration damping peak between -20°C and 90°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional EPDM rubber and polypropylene matrix are used in TPVs, then processability and thermal resistance are improved, but vibration damping properties and elastic behavior are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the thermoplastic matrix composition by incorporating cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) with specific glass transition temperatures and adjusting the rubber phase composition to achieve optimal vibration damping properties while maintaining processability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite TPV system combining EPDM rubber phase with a modified thermoplastic matrix containing COC and polypropylene, where the composite structure provides both processability and enhanced vibration damping properties
2Stability of the object's composition
If EPDM rubber is cured less than about 90 percent to maintain elasticity, then elastic properties are improved, but compression set becomes unacceptably high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the rubber curing degree and matrix composition parameters to achieve a balance where the TPV maintains good elastic properties with acceptable compression set values, specifically targeting compression set reduction by 40% compared to conventional TPVs
3Ease of manufacture
If the thermoplastic matrix is made semi-crystalline to provide melt-processability, then processability is improved, but elastic behavior is limited due to crystallinity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a two-phase structure where the semi-crystalline polypropylene matrix provides processability while the amorphous COC phase and dispersed rubber particles provide elastic behavior, with each phase performing its specific function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines semi-crystalline polypropylene with amorphous cyclic olefin copolymer to create a composite matrix that exhibits both melt-processability from the crystalline phase and elastic behavior from the amorphous phase and rubber dispersion
4Reliability
If vibration damping materials are designed with gel-like properties to achieve damping, then vibration damping is improved, but mechanical properties and processability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic matrix and the composition ratios to shift the vibration damping peak to the target temperature range while maintaining processability and mechanical properties
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are thermoplastic vulcanizate compositions that include a thermoplastic matrix comprising a cyclic olefin copolymer and an oil and particles dispersed in the thermoplastic matrix and comprising an at least partially cross-linked rubber. The thermoplastic vulcanizate composition has a tan δ profile comprising a peak occurring between about −20° C. and about 90° C. and having a peak value between about 0.1 and about 2.0.