Fire Resistant Tire Rubber Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber components in pneumatic tires used on earthmover equipment, such as those handling hot steel slag, are prone to ignition and reduced lifespan due to exposure to high temperatures exceeding 1000°C, necessitating improved fire resistance.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition comprising a diene-based elastomer, 20-40 parts by weight of silica, and 10-25 weight percent of aluminum hydroxide, which is self-extinguishing at 1000°C and excludes halogenated paraffins and antimony trioxide, providing flame retardancy without toxic byproducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rubber components are used in tires exposed to high temperatures, then the tire can maintain normal elasticity and flexibility, but the tire becomes highly combustible and experiences significantly reduced useful life when contacting hot slag at temperatures exceeding 1000°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the rubber compound by incorporating specific flame retardant agents (aluminum hydroxide at 10-25 parts per 100 parts rubber, magnesium hydroxide at 5-20 parts per 100 parts rubber) and anti-oxidants. This changes the thermal decomposition behavior and combustion characteristics of the rubber, enabling it to resist ignition at temperatures exceeding 1000°C while maintaining useful service life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite rubber material by combining conventional rubber base polymers with inorganic flame retardant particles (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide) and carbon black. This composite structure provides both the elastic properties of rubber and the fire-resistant properties of the inorganic additives, achieving reliable fire resistance without sacrificing durability
2Reliability
If flame retardant additives are incorporated into the rubber composition to achieve self-extinguishing properties at 1000°C, then fire resistance is improved, but the complexity of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates harmful halogenated compounds from the rubber composition, replacing them with non-halogenated flame retardants (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide). This removal of toxic substances simplifies the safety profile while maintaining fire resistance, achieving self-extinguishing capability without the complexity of managing halogenated paraffins and antimony trioxide
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of flame retardant additives within specific ranges (aluminum hydroxide: 10-25 parts per 100 parts rubber; magnesium hydroxide: 5-20 parts per 100 parts rubber). By controlling these parameters within defined limits, the composition achieves effective fire resistance without excessive additive loading, thereby limiting composition complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional rubber compounds are used to maintain elasticity and processing ease, then ease of manufacture is preserved, but the tire ignites upon contact with hot slag and useful life is reduced to twenty percent of normal temperature use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters by incorporating flame retardant additives in controlled amounts (aluminum hydroxide: 10-25 parts per 100 parts rubber; magnesium hydroxide: 5-20 parts per 100 parts rubber) and optimizing the sulfur vulcanization system. These parameter changes enable the rubber to maintain processability during manufacturing while acquiring fire-resistant properties that prevent ignition at temperatures exceeding 1000°C
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies flame retardant protection locally within the rubber compound structure by dispersing inorganic flame retardant particles (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide) throughout the rubber matrix. This creates localized fire-resistant zones that prevent ignition propagation while maintaining the overall elasticity and processing characteristics of the rubber base material
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 rubber composition effectively self-extinguishes at 1000°C, preventing tire ignition and maintaining acceptable tear and abrasion resistance, thus extending the tire's useful life in high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
from 10 to 25 weight percent of aluminum hydroxide; wherein the composition is self-extinguishing at a temperature of 1000° C.
Implementation Method 2
the composition is self-extinguishing at a temperature of 1000° C.
Implementation Method 3
from 20 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of silica; maintaining acceptable tear and abrasion resistance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising:at least one diene based elastomer;from 20 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of silica; andfrom 10 to 25 weight percent of aluminum hydroxide;wherein the composition is self-extinguishing at a temperature of 1000° C., and the composition is exclusive of halogenated paraffins and antimony trioxide.