Elastomer Layer Composition for Fire-Safe Air Spring Bellows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Articles with elastomeric mixtures, such as air spring bellows and vibration dampers, fail to meet stringent fire protection requirements due to high heat release rates and toxic smoke production during combustion, and traditional flame-retardant additives compromise their physical properties.
Innovation Solution
A single-layer or multi-layer article with a rubber mixture containing halogen-free flame retardants and specific carbon blacks with high BET surface area and oil absorption number, combined with additional flame retardants like zinc stannate, to enhance fire protection while maintaining dynamic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional flame-retardant substances are added to rubber mixtures, then fire protection behavior is improved, but physical properties such as hardness and dynamic characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of carbon black (BET surface area between 35-140 m²/g and OAN between 70-140 ml/100g) to achieve optimal fire protection while maintaining physical properties. This parameter optimization allows the rubber mixture to meet fire safety requirements without compromising hardness and dynamic characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite approach by combining specific carbon black with halogen-free flame retardants in a rubber mixture. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects where the carbon black provides fire protection and reinforcement, while the halogen-free flame retardants contribute to fire safety without the negative effects of traditional halogenated compounds.
2Temperature
If chloroprene rubber is used for weather and heat resistance, then mineral oil and heat resistance is improved, but smoke toxicity during combustion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters by using halogen-free flame retardants instead of traditional halogenated compounds. This substitution maintains the heat resistance properties of chloroprene rubber while significantly reducing the toxicity of smoke generated during combustion, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat resistance and smoke safety.
3Strength
If natural rubber or polyisoprene rubber is used for elastic properties, then elastic characteristics are improved, but heat release rate during combustion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite rubber mixture that combines natural rubber or polyisoprene rubber with specific carbon black and halogen-free flame retardants. This composite formulation maintains the excellent elastic properties of the base rubber while the carbon black and flame retardants work synergistically to reduce the heat release rate during combustion.
4Reliability
If additional flame retardants are reduced, then dynamic suitability and service life are improved, but fire protection behavior may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the parameters of carbon black (BET surface area and OAN) to achieve maximum fire protection efficiency. By precisely controlling these parameters, the invention reduces the required amount of additional flame retardants while maintaining adequate fire protection behavior, thereby improving dynamic suitability and service life.
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 solution significantly reduces additional flame retardant usage, improving the article's service life and dynamic suitability while meeting stringent fire protection standards like EN45545, particularly reducing smoke toxicity and maintaining physical properties.
Implementation Method 1
at least one carbon black with a BET surface area according to DIN-ISO 9277 between 35 and 140 m2/g and an oil absorption number (OAN) according to ISO 4656 between 70 and 140 ml/100g
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an article comprising a single or multi-layer main body having elastic properties, in particular air spring bellows, a metal-rubber element or a vibration damper. In order to improve the flame-retarding properties, the main body of the article consists of or contains at least one layer D formed of a rubber mixture that is free from halogen-containing flame retardant means and contains at least one carbon black with a BET surface area of between 35 and 140 m2/g (according to DIN-ISO 9277) and with an oil absorption number (OAN) of between 70 and 140 ml /100g (according to ISO 4656).