Modified Conjugated Diene Rubber for Tire Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing conjugated diene rubber do not adequately address the need for enhanced low fuel consumption performance in automobile tires, particularly in terms of storage stability, shape-retaining properties, and hysteresis-loss reduction.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reaction of a conjugated diene polymer with an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal active terminal and a hydrocarbyloxysilane compound, followed by mixing with an onium-forming agent, to produce a modified conjugated diene rubber that improves the rubber's workability, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and wet skid resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional emulsion polymerization method is used to produce conjugated diene rubber, then production efficiency is maintained, but storage stability and shape-retaining properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the rubber by introducing specific functional groups (silane groups and onium groups) through controlled chemical reactions. This transforms the polymer structure to achieve superior storage stability and shape-retaining properties while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a systematic multi-step process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite functional structure by combining conjugated diene polymer with silane groups and onium groups. This composite material approach integrates multiple functions (storage stability, shape retention, crosslinking capability) into a single rubber product, resolving the contradiction between improved properties and manufacturing complexity
2Loss of energy
If conventional conjugated diene rubber is used, then basic rubber properties are maintained, but hysteresis-loss and fuel consumption performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters by incorporating silane groups that enable low-temperature crosslinking and onium groups that enhance interaction with reinforcing fillers. These parameter changes reduce hysteresis-loss by improving the rubber's viscoelastic properties and filler interaction, directly addressing fuel consumption performance
3Strength
If simple polymer structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but tensile strength and abrasion resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary chemical modification during the polymerization process itself, incorporating functional groups into the polymer chain before final product formation. This preliminary action ensures that the complex structure is built-in from the start, simplifying subsequent processing while achieving high tensile strength and abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses silane groups as intermediary structures that bridge the polymer chains and reinforcing fillers. These intermediary groups facilitate strong interfacial bonding, enhancing tensile strength and abrasion resistance without requiring excessively complex polymer structures
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 rubber composition exhibits excellent storage stability, shape-retaining properties, and reduced hysteresis-loss, enabling improved low fuel consumption performance in automotive tires.
Implementation Method 1
a conjugated diene polymer with an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal active terminal... is allowed to react with a hydrocarbyloxysilane compound
Implementation Method 2
the modified conjugated diene polymer... is mixed with an onium-forming agent
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a producing method of conjugated diene rubber which can be used as a starting material of cross-linked rubber which is used for such as tire tread and can enhance low fuel consumption performance.The method of producing modified conjugated diene rubber, comprising: a process step (a) wherein a conjugated diene polymer with an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal active terminal, which polymer is obtained from polymerization of a conjugated diene compound or polymerization of a conjugated diene compound with an aromatic vinyl compound, is allowed to react with a hydrocarbyloxysilane compound having in its molecule at least one or more of each of the following functional groups (I): a hydrocarbyloxysilyl group and (II): a nitrogen-containing group formed by substituting one protective group for one hydrogen atom of a secondary amine, a tertiary amino group, an imino group, a pyridyl group to obtain a modified conjugated diene polymer with the functional group (II), and a process step (b) wherein the modified conjugated diene polymer produced in the process step (a) is mixed with an onium-forming agent.