High Trans E-SBR Tire Tread for Wet Grip and Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire treads face a challenge in balancing low rolling resistance, high wear resistance, and excellent grip on both dry and wet roads, with existing solutions often compromising on these properties.
Innovation Solution
A tire tread composition comprising 35-65 phr of styrene-butadiene emulsion copolymer with high trans-1,4 butadienyl units, 35-65 phr of polybutadiene, 90-150 phr of reinforcing inorganic filler, and a specific plasticizing system that includes a hydrocarbon resin and a liquid plasticizer, optimized to enhance wet grip and wear resistance without increasing rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rubber compositions are used to improve wet grip and wear resistance, then rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber blend by specifying precise ratios of SBR (35-65 phr), BR (35-65 phr), and NR (0-30 phr), along with specific filler contents (90-150 phr), to achieve optimal balance between wet grip, wear resistance, and rolling resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite rubber composition combining multiple elastomers (SBR, BR, NR) with inorganic fillers and specific additives to create a material that simultaneously improves wet grip and wear resistance while controlling rolling resistance through synergistic interactions between components
2Strength
If reinforcing filler content is increased to improve wear resistance, then rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the filler content parameter within a specific range (90-150 phr) and combines it with precise rubber composition ratios to achieve wear resistance improvement without excessive rolling resistance penalty
3Use of energy by moving object
If rubber composition is optimized for low rolling resistance, then wet grip and wear resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a multi-component composite system where SBR provides low rolling resistance, BR enhances wear resistance, and NR improves wet grip, with each component contributing specific properties that collectively balance all three performance requirements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tyre with a tread comprising a rubber composition containing at least: 35 to 65 phr of an emulsion styrene-butadiene (E-SBR) copolymer, known as the first diene elastomer, having a content of 1,4-trans butadienyl units greater than 50 wt.-% of all of the butadienyl units; 35 to 65 phr of a polybutadiene (BR), as a second diene elastomer; optionally, 0 to 30 phr of another diene elastomer, known as the third diene elastomer; 90 to 150 phr of a reinforcing inorganic filler; and a plasticising system comprising (i) a content A of between 10 and 60 phr of a hydrocarbon resin having a Tg above 20°C and (ii) a content B of between 10 and 60 phr of a plasticiser that is liquid at 20°C and has a Tg below -20°C, wherein A+B is greater than 45 phr. The use of such an emulsion SBR and BR in the quantities required, combined with the high contents of inorganic filler and plasticiser in the tyre tread composition of the invention, provides improved wet grip and durability in relation to a control composition, without negatively affecting rolling resistance.