Hydrogenated Diene Polymer Terminal Modification for Tire Rubber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Main chain modification of conjugated diene-based polymers shows limited effectiveness in reducing hysteresis loss, thereby failing to significantly improve low fuel consumption performance, and these polymers lack a well-balanced combination of tensile strength, wet grip property, and abrasion resistance.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a hydrogenated conjugated diene-based polymer with a functional group capable of interacting with silica, involving polymerization of a conjugated diene compound and subsequent hydrogenation to achieve a hydrogenation rate of 80-99% of butadiene-derived structural units, which is then used to create a polymer composition with silica and a crosslinking agent for tire applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If main chain modification is applied to conjugated diene-based polymer, then the polymer can be prepared with functional groups, but the effect of reducing hysteresis loss is insufficient and low fuel consumption performance is not significantly improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehysteresis lossVSAvoidlow fuel consumption performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the modification approach into two distinct segments: terminal modification and main chain modification. By focusing on terminal modification with specific functional groups (amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl) while maintaining the main chain structure, the invention achieves effective reduction of hysteresis loss without compromising the polymer's fundamental properties, thereby improving low fuel consumption performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by introducing functional groups specifically at the terminal positions of the conjugated diene-based polymer chains rather than throughout the entire main chain. This localized modification at the chain ends provides sufficient interaction with silica to reduce hysteresis loss while preserving the bulk properties of the polymer, achieving the desired energy efficiency improvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If main chain modification is applied to conjugated diene-based polymer, then functional groups are introduced, but the polymer lacks well-balanced properties of tensile strength, wet grip property, and abrasion resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional group introductionVSAvoidbalanced mechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the modification function into terminal functional groups that provide silica interaction capability while keeping the main chain intact to maintain mechanical strength. This segmentation allows the polymer to achieve both functional versatility for wet grip and structural integrity for tensile strength and abrasion resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining conjugated diene-based polymer chains with terminal functional groups that interact with silica particles. This composite approach at the molecular level achieves well-balanced properties: the polymer matrix provides tensile strength and abrasion resistance, while the silica-functional group interface provides wet grip property

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 resulting rubber material achieves a well-balanced performance in tensile strength, low hysteresis loss, wet grip property, and abrasion resistance, enhancing the properties of tires.

Implementation Method 1

a step of hydrogenating the conjugated diene-based polymer so as to achieve a hydrogenation rate of 80 to 99% of butadiene-derived structural units included in the conjugated diene-based polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Data Source

PatentUS10961327B2Method for producing hydrogenated conjugated diene-based polymer, hydrogenated conjugated diene-based polymer, polymer composition, cross-linked polymer, and tire

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 ENEOS MATERIALS CORP

AI summary

Provided is a rubber material that is well-balanced in terms of tensile strength, low hysteresis loss property, wet grip property, and abrasion resistance. A hydrogenated conjugated diene-based polymer which is a hydrogenation product of a conjugated diene-based polymer including butadiene-derived structural units is produced by a method comprising a step of preparing a conjugated diene-based polymer having, at a side chain moiety thereof, a functional group capable of interacting with silica; and a step of hydrogenating the conjugated diene-based polymer so as to achieve a hydrogenation rate of 80 to 99% of butadiene-derived structural units included in the conjugated diene-based polymer.