Functionalized DCPD Resin for High Performance Tires
Solution Overview
Problem
High performance passenger tires face reduced traction and handling at high speeds and temperatures due to miscible resins, while immiscible resins improve performance but reduce tire life, making them unsuitable for passenger tires which require stability and longevity.
Innovation Solution
Functionalization of dicyclopentadiene-based resins using ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening cross metathesis to create stable immiscible resin systems capable of reacting with silica or carbon black, forming a broad transition resin system for high performance tire treads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If miscible resins are used to form tire treads, then traction is increased, but traction and handling are reduced at high speeds and temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of DCPD-based resins by introducing functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) through controlled degradation and reaction processes. This changes the resin's parameters including molecular weight, functionality, and chemical reactivity, enabling the resin to achieve both high traction and maintained handling at elevated temperatures and speeds.
2Reliability
If immiscible resins are added to improve high-speed and high-temperature performance, then traction and handling are improved, but tire life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms DCPD-based resins into functionalized variants with modified molecular weights and chemical groups through controlled degradation and functionalization reactions. This parameter change enables the resin to provide immiscible system benefits for high-speed performance while maintaining the stability and longevity required for passenger tire applications.
3Reliability
If DCPD-based resin is functionalized with vinyl monomers containing silane groups, then reactivity with silica and carbon black is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary functionalization of DCPD-based resins with vinyl monomers containing silane groups before tire compound formulation. This preliminary action introduces reactive functional groups (silyl, siloxy, alkoxysilyl) that will subsequently react with silica and carbon black fillers, simplifying the overall compounding process and improving filler reactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite resin structures by combining DCPD-based polymer backbones with vinyl monomer functional groups through metathesis reactions. The resulting functionalized resin acts as a composite material that integrates both the structural properties of the original resin and the reactive properties of the silane-containing vinyl monomers, enabling improved filler interaction.
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 functionalized resin system provides improved durability, traction, and handling while maintaining tire longevity by forming a stable morphology and reducing extractability, suitable for high performance tire applications.
Implementation Method 1
contacting units derived from dicyclopentadiene and a vinyl monomer or a vinylene monomer wherein the vinyl monomer or vinylene monomer is represented by one of the following formulae
Implementation Method 2
ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening cross metathesis
Implementation Method 3
The functional groups of this resin allow for the formation of a stable immiscible resin system usable for the formation of high performance tire treads which is non-extractable
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
This invention relates to a dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-based resin functionalized with groups capable of reacting with silica or carbon black for use in high performance tires and a preferred method of preparing the functionalized resin comprising ruthenium-catalyzed ring- opening cross metathesis. The functionalized resin may comprise the reaction product obtained by contacting a polymer comprising units derived from (DCPD) and a vinyl monomer or vinylene monomer in the presence of a metathesis catalyst, wherein the vinyl monomer or vinylene monomer comprises at least one of the following functional groups: a silyl group, a siloxy group, or an alkoxysilyl group. This invention further relates to a tire tread composition comprising the functionalized resin and which exhibits enhanced durability, traction, handling, and extractability properties.