Elastomer Composition with Fine Carbon Black Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire tread compositions face challenges in achieving good processability and wear resistance while maintaining energy efficiency, as very fine carbon blacks are difficult to disperse and often degrade energy at break properties when used with plasticizing agents.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition combining very fine carbon blacks with specific plasticizing hydrocarbon resins and a crosslinking system, where the carbon black is finely dispersed in the elastomeric matrix using a masterbatch process, allowing for improved processability without degrading energy at break properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If very fine carbon blacks are used to improve wear resistance, then wear resistance is improved, but processability deteriorates due to difficulty in dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-dispersing very fine carbon blacks in an aqueous medium to form a stable slurry before incorporating into the elastomer matrix. This pre-dispersion step prevents agglomeration and ensures uniform distribution, resolving the processability issue while maintaining wear resistance benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an aqueous slurry as an intermediary medium to facilitate the dispersion of very fine carbon blacks. The slurry acts as a carrier that enables uniform distribution of the filler particles throughout the elastomer matrix, overcoming the direct mixing difficulties
2Ease of manufacture
If plasticizing oil or resin is used to improve processability, then processability is improved, but energy at break properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or eliminates the need for conventional plasticizing oils and resins by achieving processability improvement through alternative means - specifically through the aqueous slurry dispersion method and optimized mixing processes that do not require additional plasticizing agents, thereby preserving energy at break properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves the functional effect of plasticizing agents (improved processability) through a different mechanism - using controlled aqueous slurry incorporation and mixing techniques that replicate the benefits of plasticization without the harmful side effects on mechanical properties
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 enhanced processability and maintains stress, elongation, and energy at break properties, providing a balance between improved wear resistance and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plasticizing hydrocarbon resin, the glass transition temperature, Tg, of which is greater than 20° C. and the softening point of which is less than 170° C.
Implementation Method 2
the dispersion of the filler in the elastomeric matrix having a Z score greater than or equal to 70
Implementation Method 3
a crosslinking system
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler including at least carbon black, having a specific surface area CTAB greater than or equal to 130 m2/g, a plasticizing hydrocarbon resin, the vitreous transition temperature of which, Tg, is greater than 20° C., and the softening point of which is less than 170° C., and a cross linking system, the dispersion of the filler in the elastomeric matrix having a Z score greater than or equal to 70.