Tire Tread Rubber Composition for Wet Grip, Wear, and Rolling Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire technologies face challenges in simultaneously improving rolling resistance, wet performance, and tread wear without significant trade-offs in other characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition comprising a high glass transition temperature styrene butadiene rubber, a low glass transition temperature styrene butadiene rubber, isoprenic rubber, and a high load of hydrocarbon resin with silica, providing an advanced balance between wet performance, rolling resistance, and abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If rolling resistance is improved, then energy efficiency increases, but wet grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using two different styrene-butadiene rubbers with distinct glass transition temperatures (-49°C to -15°C and -50°C to -89°C) to achieve different viscoelastic properties. This allows optimization of both rolling resistance and wet grip performance through controlled material parameters rather than single-material compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite rubber composition combining multiple rubber types (styrene-butadiene rubbers with different Tg, natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene) and fillers (silica, hydrocarbon resin). This composite approach enables simultaneous optimization of energy efficiency and wet performance by leveraging the complementary properties of each component
2Use of energy by moving object
If rolling resistance is limited to improve energy efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but wet braking performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting styrene-butadiene rubbers with specific glass transition temperature ranges. The first SBR (Tg: -49°C to -15°C) provides stability for rolling resistance, while the second SBR (Tg: -50°C to -89°C) enhances wet braking through improved hysteresis losses at operating temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The composite rubber composition integrates multiple materials including silica (135-200 phr), hydrocarbon resin (55+ phr), natural rubber (5-30 phr), and synthetic polyisoprene (5-30 phr). This composite structure enables the tread to exhibit both low rolling resistance and high wet braking performance through synergistic material interactions
3Duration of action of stationary object
If treadwear is limited to extend service life, then sustainability improves, but other tire characteristics may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite formulation with silica (135-200 phr), hydrocarbon resin (55-90 phr), and multiple rubber types. This composite structure provides enhanced treadwear resistance through strong silica-rubber bonding while maintaining flexibility and other performance characteristics through the diverse material composition
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the glass transition temperatures of the rubber components to achieve a balanced performance profile. The specific Tg ranges of the SBR components ensure the compound maintains appropriate hardness, flexibility, and wear resistance across a range of operating conditions
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A rubber composition is disclosed comprising 70 phr to 95 phr of styrene butadiene rubber comprising at least 5 phr or from 5 phr to 35 phr of a first styrene butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature within a range of -49°C to -15°C and at least 45 phr or from 45 phr to 75 phr of a second styrene butadiene rubber having a glass transition temperature within a range of -50°C to -89°C. The rubber composition comprises more of the second styrene butadiene rubber than of the first styrene butadiene rubber. The rubber composition further comprises 5 phr to 30 phr or from 15 phr to 25 phr of at least one member selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic polyisoprene rubber; 135 phr to 200 phr of silica; and at least 55 phr of at least one hydrocarbon resin comprising at least one terpene resin which has a glass transition temperature of at least 30°C. Also, a tire (1) having a component, preferably a tread (10), comprising such a rubber composition is disclosed.