Macrocyclic Polymer Additive for Ground Cured Rubber Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The incorporation of high amounts of ground cured rubber into new rubber compositions faces challenges such as poor mixing, short storage time, and poor physical properties of cured rubber articles, limiting the effective recycling of waste rubber.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a macrocyclic polymer additive in combination with ground cured rubber into rubber compositions, along with uncured rubber and a curing package, improves mixing efficiency, reduces premature curing, and enhances the physical properties of cured rubber articles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If high amounts of ground cured rubber are incorporated into rubber compositions, then the recycling of waste rubber is improved, but the mixing quality and physical properties of cured rubber articles deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste rubber recyclingVSAvoidmixing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A macrocyclic polymer additive is introduced as an intermediary substance between ground cured rubber and uncured rubber. This additive acts as a mediator that improves the compatibility and dispersion of ground cured rubber particles within the rubber matrix, enabling effective mixing at high concentrations (at least 5 phr) without compromising mixing quality or physical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If high amounts of ground cured rubber are incorporated into rubber compositions, then the recycling of waste rubber is improved, but the storage time of rubber compositions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste rubber recyclingVSAvoidstorage time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The macrocyclic polymer additive serves as a protective intermediary that stabilizes the rubber composition during storage. It prevents premature curing reactions by interfering with the interaction between ground cured rubber and curing agents, thereby extending the usable storage time of compositions containing high concentrations of recycled rubber

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ground cured rubber, which inherently causes premature curing and short storage time when used in high amounts, is transformed into a beneficial component. The macrocyclic polymer additive converts the harmful effect of ground cured rubber into a benefit by controlling its reactivity, allowing high concentrations to be used without compromising storage stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of substance

If high amounts of ground cured rubber are incorporated into rubber compositions, then the recycling of waste rubber is improved, but the physical properties of cured rubber articles deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste rubber recyclingVSAvoidphysical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The macrocyclic polymer additive acts as a reinforcing intermediary that enhances the interaction between ground cured rubber particles and the uncured rubber matrix. This leads to improved stress transfer and dispersion, resulting in cured rubber articles with enhanced physical properties including tensile strength, elongation, and abrasion resistance despite high ground cured rubber content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite rubber material system consisting of uncured rubber, ground cured rubber, and macrocyclic polymer additive. This composite structure leverages the synergistic effects of the components, where the macrocyclic polymer enhances the interfacial bonding between ground cured rubber and the matrix, producing a material with superior physical properties compared to simple mixtures

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 use of macrocyclic polymer additives allows for higher concentrations of ground cured rubber to be effectively integrated, improving the mixing process, extending storage time, and enhancing the physical performance of cured rubber articles, such as abrasion resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the macrocyclic polymer additive, which is an unsaturated polymer that is reactive towards curing compounds, masks the ground rubber surface and absorbs and/or reacts with curing compounds from the ground rubber that migrate during processing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20250043115A1Rubber compositions with ground cured rubber, methods of making the same, and articles comprising the same

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 NIKE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a rubber composition and methods for preparing and using the same. In one aspect, the rubber composition comprises a polymeric component and a curing package comprising sulfur and optionally a curing accelerator; wherein the polymeric component comprises or consists of 100 parts of an uncured rubber component comprising at least one uncured rubber, at least 5 parts per hundred rubber (phr) ground cured rubber, and at least 1 phr of a macrocyclic polymer additive comprising a macrocyclic polymer. In a further aspect, the rubber composition can be processed using existing equipment. In a still further aspect, the rubber composition is resistant to scorching and is thus compatible with extended periods of storage prior to molding and vulcanization.