Low Vinyl Elastomer for Tire Tread Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire formulations face challenges in balancing rolling resistance, wet grip performance, and abrasion resistance due to high vinyl bond content in elastomeric polymers, which results in insufficient wet skid resistance and increased heat build-up.
Innovation Solution
A modified elastomeric polymer with a low vinyl bond content, achieved by reacting a living anionic elastomeric polymer with specific silane sulfide modifying agents, is used to create a vulcanized elastomeric polymer composition that reduces rolling resistance while maintaining wet grip properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high vinyl bond content elastomeric polymers are used, then abrasion resistance is improved, but wet grip performance deteriorates and heat build-up increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the vinyl bond content parameter from conventional high levels (15-30%) to low levels (2-10%), which fundamentally alters the polymer's properties. This parameter change enables simultaneous improvement in wet grip performance while maintaining acceptable abrasion resistance through the modified polymer structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite effect by combining low vinyl bond content with specific silane sulfide modifications and coupling agents. This composite approach at the molecular level achieves a balance between abrasion resistance and wet grip that cannot be obtained with single-parameter adjustments
2Strength
If high vinyl bond content elastomeric polymers are used, then abrasion resistance is improved, but rolling resistance increases due to increased heat build-up
Solution Approach 1:
By reducing vinyl bond content from 15-30% to 2-10%, the invention changes the energy dissipation characteristics of the polymer. This parameter change reduces hysteresis loss and heat build-up during rolling, thereby improving rolling resistance while maintaining abrasion resistance through compositional modifications
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional elastomeric polymers are used, then processing is simpler, but hysteresis loss is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary modification of the elastomeric polymer with silane sulfides and coupling agents during the polymerization process. This preliminary action creates pre-functionalized polymer chains that reduce hysteresis loss without adding complex processing steps later, as the modifications are already in place during manufacturing
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 modified elastomeric polymer composition achieves improved rolling resistance, wet grip, and abrasion resistance, with reduced heat build-up, enhancing the performance of tire treads and other rubber applications.
Implementation Method 1
reacting a living anionic elastomeric polymer with a silane sulfide modifying agent
Implementation Method 2
vulcanized and, thus, crosslinked elastomeric compositions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a modified elastomeric polymer obtained by reacting a living anionic elastomeric polymer and specific chain end modifying compound, wherein the living anionic elastomeric polymer comprises more than 70% and less than 99% by weight of butadiene units and more than 1% and less than 30% by weight of styrene units and has a vinyl bond content of from 2 to less than 10%, based on the polybutadiene fraction of the living anionic elastomeric polymer. The invention further relates to a method of preparing the modified elastomeric polymer and to an elastomeric polymer composition comprising the modified elastomeric polymer.