Functionalized Elastomer Filler Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber formulations for tires face challenges in achieving optimal filler dispersion and interaction, particularly with carbon black and silica, which affects tire performance metrics like rolling resistance and traction, due to inconsistent viscoelastic properties.
Innovation Solution
The development of a functionalized elastomer through the reaction of a living anionic elastomeric polymer with a specific polymerization terminator, enhancing the affinity of rubbery polymers for fillers such as carbon black and silica, thereby improving tire performance by reducing hysteresis and enhancing traction characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If rubbery polymers with high rebound physical property are used to reduce rolling resistance, then rolling resistance is reduced, but wet skid resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating rubber polymers with specific local functional groups (silane, epoxide, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino) at particular positions along the polymer chain. These localized functional groups enhance filler interaction specifically at the polymer-filler interface, improving wet skid resistance without compromising the overall rebound properties needed for low rolling resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining rubber polymers with functional groups and filler particles (carbon black, silica) to create a composite rubber composition. The functional groups act as coupling agents that bridge the polymer and filler, creating a synergistic composite that achieves both low rolling resistance and high wet skid resistance.
2Reliability
If blends of various synthetic and natural rubbers are used to achieve inconsistent viscoelastic properties, then wet skid resistance is improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of rubber polymers through the introduction of specific functional groups (silane, epoxide, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino). This chemical parameter modification enables precise control over polymer-filler interaction, achieving the desired viscoelastic properties for both low rolling resistance and high wet skid resistance without requiring complex rubber blends.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional rubber formulations are used, then manufacturing is simple, but filler dispersion and interaction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-introducing functional groups into the rubber polymer structure during polymerization. This preliminary functionalization ensures that when fillers are added during compounding, they automatically interact with the pre-present functional groups, achieving uniform dispersion and strong interaction without requiring complex additional processing steps.
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 elastomer improves filler-rubber interaction, leading to lower rolling resistance and better traction, as indicated by reduced tan delta values at specific temperatures, resulting in enhanced tire performance.
Implementation Method 1
In the living polymerization process based on active carbanionic center, metals from Groups I and II of the periodic table are commonly used to initiate the polymerization of monomers into polymers
Data Source
AI summary
A functionalized elastomer is disclosed comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I where X is CI, Br, or I; m is an integer from 0 to 2, n is an integer from 1 to 3, with the proviso that n + m = 3; R1, R2 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R1, R2 are independently -SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R1 and R2 taken together with their common nitrogen atom and optionally a sulfur or oxygen heteroatom to form a five to eight membered ring; R3 is hydrogen, or C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R3 is -SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, or R3 is -R6-R7, where R6 is C1 to C3 alkanediyl and R7 is selected from the following structures: -S-Z, -N(R8)(R9), -O(Y), or Si(OR10)3, where R8 and R9 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, Y and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of methoxymethyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tert-butyl, allyl, 1-ethoxyethyl, benzyl, triphenylmethyl, triethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, tert-butyl dimethyl silyl, tert-butyl diphenyl silyl, and isopropyldimethylsilyl, and R10 are independently C1 to C4 alkyl; or when m = 1, the polymerization terminator may have the formula II where R4, R5 are independently C1 to C18 alkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, or R4, R5 are independently -SiR3 where R is independently alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or disubstituted amino, X and R3 are as defined above, and k is an integer from 0 to 10.