Functionalized Ethylene Copolymer Tire Treads for Adhesion and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to improve the properties of tires, particularly tire treads, using synthetic rubbers.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing ethylene copolymers functionalized with polar groups such as carboxylic acid, anhydride, or epoxy groups, combined with conjugated diene polymers, to enhance tire or tire tread compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conjugated diene rubbers are used for tire treads, then the basic tire structure is maintained, but the adhesion and durability properties are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion and durabilityVSAvoidperformance enhancement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of ethylene copolymers by introducing functional groups (carboxylic acid, anhydride, epoxy) to change the surface properties and reactivity parameters, thereby improving adhesion and durability without fundamentally changing the tire structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite rubber system by combining functionalized ethylene copolymer with conjugated diene polymer, where each component contributes different properties: the functionalized ethylene copolymer provides adhesion and durability, while the conjugated diene provides elasticity and processability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If ethylene copolymers with functional groups are introduced to improve adhesion, then the composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single material component: the functionalized ethylene copolymer simultaneously provides structural integrity, adhesion through functional groups, and compatibility with conventional tire manufacturing processes, reducing the need for multiple separate additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250313041A1Tire compositions comprising functionalized rubbers based on ethylene-copolymers

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 ARLANXEO DEUT GMBH

AI summary

Use of an ethylene copolymer for making tire or tire tread compounds, wherein the ethylene-copolymer is a copolymer comprising units derived from ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin monomer having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably propylene and, optionally, having units derived from at least one non-conjugated diene, and wherein the ethylene copolymer is functionalized to have at least one functional group comprising at least one polar unit selected from a carboxylic acid group (or salts thereof), an anhydride group, an epoxy group, a glycidyl ether group or a combination thereof, and wherein the ethylene-copolymer comprises from 40 to 80% wt. of units derived from ethylene, preferably from 44% wt. to 76% wt. of units derived from ethylene and at least 20% wt. of units derived from one or one alpha-olefin monomer having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably comprising at least 15% wt. of units derived from propylene. Also provided are compositions comprising the ethylene-copolymer and a conjugated diene polymer, method of making such compositions and articles containing them.