Diene Elastomer Rubber Composition for Tire Tread Wear and Rolling Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Tire treads face a challenge in achieving a balance between wear resistance and low rolling resistance, as increasing stiffness to improve wear resistance often leads to higher hysteresis and rolling resistance.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition combining a specific diene elastomer and a modification agent, with a unique molecular structure and processing method, is used to enhance stiffness while minimizing hysteresis, comprising a diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler, and a chemical crosslinking agent, which are thermomechanically kneaded with the modification agent to achieve optimal properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the reinforcing filler loading is increased to improve wear resistance, then the tread stiffness is improved, but the rolling resistance increases due to higher hysteresis losses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber matrix by introducing a specific diene elastomer with controlled microstructure (1,2-cis, 1,4-trans, 1,4-cis units) and combining it with a modification agent. This chemical parameter change allows achieving the desired stiffness at lower filler loading, thereby reducing hysteresis losses while maintaining wear resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite rubber composition by combining multiple components: a specific diene elastomer, a modification agent, and reinforcing fillers. This composite approach allows synergistic effects where the modified elastomer matrix and filler work together to achieve both high stiffness and low hysteresis, resolving the contradiction between wear resistance and rolling resistance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tread is stiffened to improve wear resistance, then the rigidity is improved, but the rolling resistance is penalized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the rubber matrix parameters by using a diene elastomer with specific microstructural composition (controlling the ratio of 1,2-cis, 1,4-trans, and 1,4-cis units) and applying a modification agent. This changes the viscoelastic parameters of the matrix, enabling high rigidity at lower temperatures and reduced hysteresis, thus improving tread rigidity without increasing rolling resistance.
3Loss of energy
If fuel savings and environmental preservation are prioritized, then lower rolling resistance is desired, but wear resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the chemical parameters of the rubber composition, specifically the diene elastomer microstructure and modification agent content, to achieve a matrix with low hysteresis. This allows the tire to operate with lower rolling resistance and reduced energy loss, improving fuel efficiency without sacrificing wear resistance due to the enhanced stiffness from the modified matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation combining a specific diene elastomer, modification agent, and optimized filler loading. This composite approach creates a synergistic system where the modified elastomer provides both the low hysteresis needed for fuel efficiency and the structural integrity required for wear resistance, eliminating the need to compromise between these opposing requirements.
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 composition achieves a high level of stiffness with very low hysteresis, resulting in improved wear resistance and reduced rolling resistance, effectively addressing the compromise between these contradictory requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a rubber composition based on at least a first diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler, a chemical crosslinking agent, and a modification agent, possibly already grafted onto the first diene elastomer
Implementation Method 2
a chemical crosslinking agent, which are thermomechanically kneaded with the modification agent
Implementation Method 3
thermomechanically kneaded everything, in one or more times, until reaching a maximum temperature of between 130°C and 200°C
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler, a chemical crosslinking agent, and a modifier, optionally already grafted to the diene elastomer, the modifier comprising an associative group and a dipole, the diene elastomer before grafting of the modifier comprising the statistically distributed units UA, UB, UC and UD in a respective molar percentage of m, n, o and p. R and R2, which are identical or different, denote a hydrogen atom, a methyl radical or a phenyl radical optionally substituted in the ortho, meta or para position by a methyl radical, m ≥ 50, 0 < o + p ≤ 25, n + o > 0, m, n, o and p being numbers ranging from 0 to 100.