Modified Polymer Process for Tire Rubber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber compositions with silica or carbon black filler do not achieve sufficient modification effects, leading to high cold flow and reduced performance in terms of rolling resistance, mechanical properties, and wear resistance due to insufficient branching of the main chain during polymer modification.
Innovation Solution
A process involving anionic polymerization of conjugated diene polymers with an alkali metal active end, followed by modification with an alkoxysilane compound and a condensation accelerator, such as zirconium, bismuth, or aluminum compounds, to enhance filler reinforcement and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an alkoxysilane derivative is used to modify the polymerization active end of a conjugated diene polymer, then filler reinforcement capability is improved, but cold flow occurs to a large extent due to insufficient main chain branching
Solution Approach 1:
A condensation accelerator (such as a metal compound from groups 3-18) is introduced as an intermediary substance to facilitate the condensation reaction of the alkoxysilane-modified polymer. This mediator enables sufficient branching of the main chain by accelerating the formation of siloxane bonds, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving filler reinforcement and preventing cold flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the reaction parameters by adding a condensation accelerator that catalyzes the condensation reaction. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both adequate branching (for cold flow resistance) and filler reinforcement, transforming the reaction outcome without changing the fundamental chemistry of the alkoxysilane modification.
2Stability of the object's composition
If partial coupling is used to increase main chain branching, then cold flow is reduced, but the modification effect inevitably decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation accelerator acts as a mediator that enables complete condensation reactions without requiring partial coupling. This intermediary substance allows the system to achieve both full modification effect and sufficient branching by catalyzing the formation of crosslinked structures through siloxane bond formation.
3Reliability
If conventional rubber compositions are used with silica or carbon black filler, then basic rubber properties are maintained, but rolling resistance is high and wear resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite material system where the conjugated diene polymer is chemically modified with alkoxysilane derivatives and undergoes condensation to form a network structure. This composite approach, combining polymer chemistry with filler interaction, achieves low rolling resistance and high wear resistance while maintaining basic rubber properties.
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 a modified polymer with improved low rolling resistance, tensile strength, wet-skid resistance, and wear resistance, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies by increasing the branching and dispersibility of fillers within the polymer.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting an alkali metal active end of a conjugated diene polymer to a modification reaction with an alkoxysilane compound
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the resulting product to a condensation reaction in the presence of a condensation accelerator
Implementation Method 3
the condensation accelerator includes a compound of zirconium (Zr), bismuth (Bi), or aluminum (Al)
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing a modified polymer that exhibits low rolling resistance, excellent mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength), high wet-skid resistance, and excellent wear resistance when vulcanized, a modified polymer obtained by the process, and a rubber composition containing the same. The process includes subjecting an alkali metal active end of a conjugated diene polymer to a modification reaction with an alkoxysilane compound, the conjugated diene polymer being produced by subjecting a diene monomer or a diene monomer and a monomer other than the diene monomer to anionic polymerization in a hydrocarbon solvent using an alkali metal initiator, and subjecting the resulting product to a condensation reaction in the presence of a condensation accelerator that includes a compound of at least one element among the elements of the groups 4A (excluding Ti), 2B, 3B, and 5B of the periodic table.