Guayule Rubber Tyre Compositions for Sustainable Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developing environmentally friendly elastomeric compositions for high and ultra-high performance tyres that maintain excellent handling and grip on both wet and dry asphalt, while reducing the use of synthetic materials and minimizing the incorporation of non-renewable resins, which is challenging due to the properties of natural rubber from Guayule.
Innovation Solution
Formulating vulcanised elastomeric compositions using natural rubber from Guayule with specific resin content, Mooney viscosity, and antioxidant levels, allowing for improved tear resistance, hysteresis, and thermal ageing resistance, thereby replacing both Hevea rubber and synthetic elastomers, and simplifying the production process by minimizing resin incorporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If natural rubber from Guayule with high resin content is used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but product reliability deteriorates due to rapid oxidation degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes harmful non-rubber components (resins, plant residues, minerals) from Guayule rubber through purification processes, extracting only the beneficial cis-1,4-polyisoprene component while eliminating the source of oxidation degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite elastomeric composition combining purified Guayule rubber with synthetic elastomers (SBR, polydienes) and functional additives, achieving both environmental sustainability and oxidation resistance through material composition optimization
2Reliability
If synthetic SBR elastomers are used to improve grip and thermal ageing resistance, then tyre performance is improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates due to fossil-based materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the elastomeric blend, optimizing the ratio of renewable Guayule rubber to synthetic elastomers, and adjusting additive concentrations to achieve target performance metrics while maximizing renewable content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite formulation combining purified Guayule rubber with minimal amounts of synthetic elastomers and functional additives, creating a material that meets performance requirements while reducing fossil-based content
3Reliability
If large amounts of resins are incorporated to improve adhesion and grip, then tyre performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate resin additives by purifying Guayule rubber to remove unwanted non-rubber components, allowing the natural rubber itself to provide adequate adhesion and grip properties
Solution Approach 2:
The purified Guayule rubber inherently provides the adhesion and grip functions that would otherwise require additional resin additives, making the system self-sufficient and simplifying the formulation
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 compositions exhibit superior mechanical properties, including enhanced grip and resistance to wear and thermal ageing, while reducing the reliance on fossil-based materials, thus creating a more sustainable and performing tyre solution for high-performance conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the Guayule rubber, due to the high content of resins (up to 25%), when incorporated in elastomeric tyre compositions and subjected to vulcanisation, undergoes rapid oxidation degradation
Implementation Method 2
The vulcanised elastomeric compositions used to make tyres may contain varying amounts of natural rubber
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to new elastomeric compositions for tyres, preferably for high and ultra-high performance (HP and UHP) tyres. These tires are characterised by excellent handling and grip on both wet and dry asphalt, even at high temperatures that are reached in sporty driving or in extreme conditions. The compositions of the invention incorporate natural rubbers and resins from particular Guayule, at least partially replacing those synthetic rubbers and resins of fossil origin typically used and allow producing particularly performing tyres with a lower environmental impact.