Destructured Starch Silyl Ethers for Elastomer Hysteresis Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elastomers used in various applications suffer from hysteresis phenomena, leading to a gradual loss of performance and reduced service life due to the degradation and non-uniform dispersion of native starch when used as fillers in elastomer compositions.

Innovation Solution

The development of destructured starch silyl ethers, where oxygen atoms of starch are covalently bonded to silicon atoms, which are then incorporated into elastomer compositions to reduce hysteresis and improve stability and dispersion, thereby enhancing the performance of elastomer compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If native starch is used as a filler in elastomer compositions, then cost and availability are improved, but stability under thermal and mechanical stresses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestarch availabilityVSAvoidstarch stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the starch structure through destruction of its native granular form and chemical derivatization with silyl groups. This transforms native starch into destructured starch silyl ethers, changing its physical and chemical parameters to achieve both stability under thermal/mechanical stress and compatibility with elastomer matrices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining starch with silane compounds to form silyl ether derivatives. This composite approach integrates the low cost and availability of starch with the stability and compatibility benefits of silyl ether structures, resolving the contradiction between cost and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If native starch is used as a filler in elastomer compositions, then cost is improved, but dispersion uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestarch availabilityVSAvoiddispersion uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of starch by destroying its native granular structure. This destructuring process breaks down the granular morphology into finer, more uniform structures that disperse more evenly in elastomer matrices, while maintaining the cost benefits of using starch as the base material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality changes by introducing silyl ether groups at specific locations on the starch molecular structure. This localized modification improves interfacial compatibility and dispersion uniformity in the elastomer matrix without requiring complete structural transformation of the starch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If starch is used in complexed or plasticised form, then stability is improved, but hysteresis reduction capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestarch stabilityVSAvoidhysteresis reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of stabilized starch by introducing silyl ether groups through derivatization. This chemical modification transforms stable but hysteresis-prone complexed/plasticised starch into destructured starch silyl ethers that simultaneously maintain stability and reduce hysteresis in elastomer compositions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If destructured starch silyl ethers are used in elastomer compositions, then hysteresis is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehysteresis reductionVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synthesizing the destructured starch silyl ether filler before incorporation into the elastomer composition. This preliminary preparation of the filler with desired structural and chemical properties simplifies the subsequent elastomer manufacturing process, as the modified starch requires no additional processing steps during rubber compounding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 use of destructured starch silyl ethers in elastomer compositions significantly reduces hysteresis, leading to improved performance and extended service life by enhancing the stability and uniformity of the materials.

Implementation Method 1

at least one oxygen atom of the destructured starch is covalently bonded to at least one silicon atom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10889655B2Destructured starch derivatives and elastomer compositions containing them

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 NOVAMONT SPA

AI summary

This invention relates to new destructured starch derivatives and elastomer compositions containing them. In particular this invention relates to destructured starch silyl ethers in which at least one oxygen atom of the destructured starch is covalently bonded to at least one silicon atom and/or to at least one compound containing silicon.