Imidazole-Functional Diene Elastomer for Uncured Rubber Strength
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Highly saturated diene elastomers used in rubber compositions for tires lack sufficient mechanical strength in the uncured state, which affects the dimensional stability of multiple rubber component assemblies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a diene elastomer with pendent imidazole functions, specifically a copolymer of ethylene and 1,3-diene, such as 1,3-butadiene or isoprene, with ethylene units comprising at least 50 mol % of the repeating units and imidazole functions present at most 4 mol %, along with a reinforcing filler like carbon black or silica, enhances the mechanical strength of the rubber compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If highly saturated diene elastomers are used in rubber compositions, then valuable properties are imparted to the composition, but the mechanical strength in the uncured state is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical structure of the diene elastomer by introducing imidazole functions as pendant groups. This chemical parameter change transforms the elastomer from a conventional highly saturated diene elastomer with insufficient uncured strength to a modified elastomer that provides both valuable service properties and adequate mechanical strength in the uncured state for dimensional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite elastomer structure by combining the polymeric backbone of highly saturated diene elastomer with imidazole functional groups. This composite approach integrates the beneficial properties of the base elastomer (low rolling resistance, good wear resistance) with the reinforcing capabilities of imidazole functions, achieving both valuable service properties and sufficient uncured mechanical strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional rubber compositions are assembled in the uncured state, then multiple rubber components can be assembled, but the dimensional stability is compromised due to insufficient mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical modification of the diene elastomer with imidazole functions changes the rheological parameters of the uncured rubber composition. This parameter change increases the mechanical strength and viscosity of the uncured material, enabling it to maintain dimensional stability during the assembly process of multiple rubber components while still allowing for practical manufacturing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A diene elastomer and a rubber composition comprising the diene elastomer is provided. The diene elastomer bears pendent imidazole functions in a molar content of at most 4% of the constituent repeating units of the diene elastomer, which diene elastomer is a copolymer of ethylene and of a 1,3-diene comprising ethylene units, the ethylene units representing at least 50 mol % of the constituent repeating units of the diene elastomer, the 1,3-diene being 1,3-butadiene or isoprene. Such an elastomer confers improved uncured properties on the rubber composition.