Functionalized Rubber Blend for Tire Wet Grip and Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire rubber mixtures face challenges in achieving a balance between improved winter properties, abrasion resistance, rolling resistance, and wet grip without compromising on processing ease, particularly when using silica as a filler.
Innovation Solution
A rubber blend comprising a high molecular weight, solution-polymerized diene polymer A and a low molecular weight, solution-polymerized polymer B, both functionalized with specific groups such as epoxy, hydroxy, or silane sulfide, which are combined to enhance processing and filler interaction, resulting in improved tire properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silica is used as a filler to replace carbon black, then wet grip and dry braking are improved, but rolling resistance and abrasion behavior deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameters of the diene polymer by using a mixture of high molecular weight (≥100,000 g/mol) and low molecular weight (1,000-10,000 g/mol) polymers. This parameter change optimizes the balance between rolling resistance and wet grip by controlling the viscoelastic properties of the rubber compound at different temperature and frequency conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer system by combining high molecular weight diene polymer, low molecular weight diene polymer, and silane-modified polymer in specific ratios (50-90 phr, 10-50 phr, and 5-20 phr respectively). This composite structure allows the different polymer components to contribute their respective advantages: high molecular weight for strength and wet grip, low molecular weight for processing and rolling resistance, and silane-modified for filler interaction.
2Reliability
If silica is used as a filler to replace carbon black, then wet grip is improved, but abrasion behavior deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymer composition parameters by incorporating silane-modified polymer (5-20 phr) with specific glass transition temperatures (-50 to -120°C) and controlling the vinyl content (20-80%). These parameter changes enhance the polymer-filler interaction and network structure, improving abrasion resistance while preserving wet grip properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite material system combining three different polymer types with silica filler. The silane-modified polymer specifically interacts with silica through siloxane bonds, creating a reinforced network structure that improves abrasion resistance. The combination of polymers ensures both wet grip and abrasion performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If functionalized polymers are used to improve filler interaction, then processing ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses silane-modified polymer with controlled glass transition temperature (-50 to -120°C) and vinyl content (20-80%) to optimize processing properties. The silane groups provide reactive functionality for filler interaction while the molecular weight and composition parameters are tuned to maintain good processing ease without requiring complex processing equipment or procedures.
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 blend improves winter properties, abrasion resistance, and rolling resistance while maintaining wet grip performance, with the functionalized polymers ensuring optimal filler distribution and interaction, leading to enhanced tire characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
sulfur crosslinking is used in vehicle tires
Implementation Method 2
functionalized with specific groups such as epoxy, hydroxy, or silane sulfide, which are combined to enhance processing and filler interaction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rubber blend, to a sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture containing the rubber blend, and to a vehicle tire containing such a rubber mixture. The rubber blend according to the invention contains at least one high-molecular, solution-polymerized diene polymer A, and at least one low-molecular, solution-polymerized polymer B, wherein at least one of the polymers A or B is functionalized on the chain end and/or along the polymer chain and/or in a coupling center having at least one group selected from epoxy groups, hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, silane-sulfide groups, amino groups, siloxane groups, organo-silicon groups, pthalocyanine groups, and alkoxysilyl groups containing amino groups.