Functionalized Styrene Copolymers for Tire Rubber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elastomeric copolymers used in tire production have limited compatibility with fillers like silica and carbon black, leading to suboptimal physical properties, and previous styrene derivatives are hydrolytically unstable under processing conditions.

Innovation Solution

The use of [bis(trihydrocarbylsilyl)aminosilyl]-functionalized styrene derivatives, which are copolymerized with conjugated diolefin monomers and optionally vinyl aromatic monomers, enhancing compatibility with silica and carbon black through both non-covalent and covalent interactions, and providing improved hydrolytic stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional styrene derivatives are used in elastomeric copolymers, then the copolymers can be produced with standard properties, but their compatibility with fillers like silica and carbon black is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with fillersVSAvoidinteraction ability with silica and carbon black

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The styrene derivative is modified at specific positions (para-position of the phenyl group) with amino-functional groups and silane groups, creating localized functional regions that specifically interact with fillers. This local functionalization allows the polymer to maintain its overall elastomeric properties while gaining enhanced filler compatibility at specific sites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure within the polymer chain by incorporating both amino-functional groups (for interaction with carbon black) and silane groups (for interaction with silica) into the styrene derivative. This multi-functional composite approach enables simultaneous compatibility with different types of fillers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If previous styrene derivatives with amino-functional groups are used to improve filler compatibility, then interaction with fillers is enhanced, but the derivatives are hydrolytically unstable under processing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiller compatibilityVSAvoidhydrolytic stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The silane group acts as an intermediary protective layer between the amino-functional group and water. The silane group can form stable bonds with silica fillers, effectively shielding the amino group from hydrolysis while still allowing it to interact with carbon black. This intermediary structure resolves the conflict between reactivity and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the styrene derivative by introducing trialkylsilyl groups that modify the electronic and steric environment of the amino group. This parameter change reduces the hydrolytic susceptibility of the amino group while preserving its ability to interact with fillers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If non-functionalized styrene is used in elastomeric copolymers, then the copolymer production is simple, but the wet grip and rolling resistance properties are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidwet grip and rolling resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical parameters of the styrene monomer by adding amino-functional and silane groups, which fundamentally changes the polymer's interaction properties with fillers. This parameter change leads to improved wet grip and rolling resistance while maintaining a relatively simple copolymerization process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 styrene derivatives result in elastomeric copolymers with improved wet grip (32% better) and rolling resistance (24% better) compared to non-functionalized counterparts, while maintaining stability under acidic or basic conditions.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing compatibility with silica and carbon black through both non-covalent and covalent interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-covalent interactions: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 2

enhancing compatibility with silica and carbon black through both non-covalent and covalent interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent interactions: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

providing improved hydrolytic stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolytic stability: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3280766B1Elastomeric copolymers based on [bis(trihydrocarbylsilyl)aminosilyl]-functionalized styrene and their use in the preparation of rubbers

Publication Date: 2018.08.15 SYNTHOS SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of specific styrene derivatives in the production of an elastomeric copolymer. The invention further relates to a method for producing an elastomeric copolymer and an elastic copolymer. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for preparing a rubber comprising vulcanizing the elastomeric copolymer, and a rubber as obtainable according to the method. Further, the invention relates to a rubber composition, a tire component comprising the rubber composition, and a tire comprising the tire component.