Indenyl-Metal Catalyst Interpolymers for Tire Traction and Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The synthesis of interpolymers of olefins and polyenes, particularly conjugated dienes, is challenging due to their different reactivities, and existing elastomeric materials for tire components often compromise between traction and rolling resistance, with limited alternatives for ozone resistance in tire sidewalls.
Innovation Solution
A catalyst system using indenyl-metal complexes is employed for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers, including mixtures of polyenes and olefins, to produce interpolymers with specific configurations and distributions of mer units, enhancing interaction with particulate fillers and improving properties like traction and ozone resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If treads are made from compositions designed to provide good road traction, then traction is improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of the elastomer by controlling the microstructure of polyene mer units (specifically cis-1,4 vs vinyl configurations) and the distribution of olefin mer units along the polymer chain. These parameter changes in polymer architecture enable simultaneous optimization of traction and rolling resistance by altering how the polymer interacts with fillers and deforms under stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates an interpolymer composite structure combining polyene and olefin mer units with specific ratios and distributions. This composite polymer architecture, when combined with particulate fillers, achieves a balance between traction and rolling resistance that neither polymer type could achieve alone.
2Strength
If reinforcing fillers are added to enhance physical properties and dispersion, then processability and physical properties are improved, but hysteresis may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the microstructural parameters of the polymer, specifically maintaining low vinyl mer content and high cis-1,4 diene content, which creates a polymer-filler interface that reduces hysteresis while maintaining strong reinforcement. The specific molecular architecture enables better filler dispersion with lower energy loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interpolymers of olefins and polyenes are synthesized to guard against supply disruptions, then supply security is improved, but synthesis difficulty increases due to different reactivities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a specific catalyst system that acts as an intermediary to facilitate the copolymerization of olefins and polyenes despite their different reactivities. The catalyst enables both monomer types to be incorporated into the same polymer chain with controlled distribution, overcoming the reactivity difference that normally prevents their joint polymerization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls the composition parameters of the interpolymer, specifically the ratio and distribution of olefin to polyene mer units. By adjusting these parameters during polymerization, the catalyst system can produce interpolymers with desired properties while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single polymerization process.
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 process results in polymers with high cis-1,4 diene content, low vinyl mer content, and improved interaction with fillers, achieving a balance between traction, rolling resistance, and ozone resistance in tire components.
Implementation Method 1
Any of a class of indenyl-metal complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers
Implementation Method 2
Their respective susceptibilities to coordinate with the metal atoms of polymerization catalysts differ greatly
Data Source
AI summary
Metallic complexes having indenyl ligands can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers that include both olefins and polyenes. Embodiments of the catalyst system can provide interpolymers that include polyene mer and from 40 to 75 mole percent ethylene mer, with a plurality of the ethylene mer being randomly distributed. The catalyst system also can be used in solution polymerizations conducted in C5-C12 alkanes, yielding interpolymers that include at least 10 mole percent ethylene mer.