Diene Elastomer Silica Masterbatch Zinc Salt Coagulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inorganic fillers like silica tend to agglomerate in elastomer matrices, limiting their dispersion and reinforcing properties in tire treads, making it difficult to achieve both high wear resistance and low rolling resistance, especially when using high specific surface silicas which enhance interactions and reduce processability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a zinc salt in a low predetermined amount to facilitate coagulation of silica and diene elastomer latex in the liquid phase, without additional additives or coagulating agents, achieving a high yield and good dispersion of silica in the elastomer matrix.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If inorganic fillers like silica are used to reinforce elastomer matrices, then wear resistance is improved, but the fillers tend to agglomerate and dispersion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a specific zinc salt as an intermediary substance to facilitate the interaction between silica particles and elastomer matrix. The zinc salt acts as a mediator that promotes uniform dispersion of silica by controlling the coagulation process, preventing agglomeration while maintaining reinforcement properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the system by introducing zinc salt at controlled concentrations. This modifies the interaction mechanisms between silica and elastomer, transforming the agglomeration-prone system into a well-dispersed composite system while preserving wear resistance.
2Strength
If high specific surface silicas are used to enhance interactions, then reinforcing properties are improved, but processability becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The zinc salt serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between high-specific-surface silica particles and the elastomer matrix. It facilitates interaction at the molecular level, enabling effective reinforcement while maintaining processability during mixing and processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical environment by introducing zinc salt, which changes the surface properties and interaction dynamics of high-specific-surface silica. This parameter change enables the system to maintain both high reinforcement and acceptable processability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional additives or coagulating agents are used to improve dispersion, then dispersion quality is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The zinc salt performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a coagulating agent, a dispersion promoter, and a reinforcement enhancer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate additives, simplifying the system while achieving excellent dispersion quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The zinc salt enables the system to self-organize and self-disperse the silica particles through controlled coagulation. The additive works autonomously to achieve uniform distribution without requiring additional processing steps or multiple specialized additives.
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
This method allows for a high yield (>80% by weight) and effective dispersion of silica in the elastomer matrix, improving the reinforcing properties of tire treads while maintaining low rolling resistance.
Implementation Method 1
bringing into contact and mixing an elastomer latex and the aqueous silica dispersion in the presence of a zinc salt, in order to obtain a coagulum
Data Source
AI summary
Preparation of a masterbatch of diene elastomer and silica including preparing at least one silica dispersion in water; bringing into contact and mixing an elastomer latex and the aqueous silica dispersion in the presence of a metal salt in order to obtain a coagulum; and recovering the coagulum and drying the recovered coagulum in order to obtain the masterbatch. The molar content of zinc cations, defined as the number of moles of zinc cations of the zinc salt per BET unit area of the silica, is between 1.19*10−6 and 5.62*10−6 mol/m2.