Inner Liner Composition for Lower Tire Gas Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inner liners for inflatable articles, such as tires, exhibit inconsistent gas permeability reduction despite the use of platy fillers with high aspect ratios and high loading amounts, leading to oxidation and degradation of elastomers.
Innovation Solution
An inner liner comprising a rubber component and platy mineral particles with a mean aspect ratio of less than three, where at least 30% of the particles have an aspect ratio of 2 or greater, and a mean diameter of 0.8 μm to 3 μm, improves gas barrier properties by maintaining a high proportion of platy particles during processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high aspect ratio platy filler and high loading amount are used, then gas permeability is expected to improve, but manufacturing consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the aspect ratio parameter of the platy filler from high (conventional) to moderate (2-3), and adjusts the loading amount parameter to an optimized range (20-40 phr). This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by achieving consistent gas permeability reduction (MOCON ≤165) without the manufacturing variability associated with high aspect ratio fillers.
2Reliability
If butyl rubber is used as inner liner material, then gas barrier property is improved, but oxidation resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system combining butyl rubber with specific platy mineral fillers (aspect ratio 2-3, loading 20-40 phr). This composite approach maintains the gas barrier properties of butyl rubber while the optimized filler network provides oxidation resistance by creating a more stable structure that prevents oxygen penetration and reduces oxidative degradation.
3Reliability
If high loading amount of platy filler is used, then gas permeability is expected to reduce, but processing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the filler loading amount parameter to a moderate range (20-40 phr) rather than using high loading amounts. This parameter change reduces processing difficulty while maintaining effective gas permeability reduction, as the moderate loading with optimized aspect ratio (2-3) creates sufficient tortuous path for gas molecules without causing excessive viscosity or processing challenges.
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 inner liner achieves a MOCON value of 165 or less, demonstrating a significant reduction in gas permeability and protection against oxidation, with improvements up to 40% compared to controls.
Implementation Method 1
the gas permeability of the inflated article may compromise the performance of the article and cause the article to deflate over time
Data Source
AI summary
An inner liner for an elastomeric articles is provided. The inner liner contains platy mineral particles having a mean aspect ratio of less than three, where at least about 30% or more of the platy mineral particles have an aspect ratio of 2 or greater. Furthermore, an inflatable article, such as a tire, that includes an inner liner containing the platy mineral particles, is also provided.