Modified Conjugated Diene Polymer Silica Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rubber materials for tires face challenges in achieving a balance between low rolling resistance, wet skid resistance, and abrasion resistance, with silica fillers having poor affinity with rubber and requiring additional coupling agents, while maintaining mechanical properties like tensile strength.
Innovation Solution
A modified conjugated diene-based polymer is developed, incorporating a functional group derived from a specific modifier that enhances interaction with inorganic fillers, prepared through polymerization in a hydrocarbon solvent with an organometal compound, resulting in improved exothermic properties, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and wet skid resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silica is used as reinforcing filler, then low hysteresis loss and wet skid resistance are improved, but dispersibility is poor due to low affinity with rubber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the rubber polymer by introducing functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) at the chain terminals through controlled polymerization and post-polymerization modification. This changes the surface chemistry of the rubber to improve affinity with silica filler, resolving the dispersibility issue while maintaining wet skid resistance benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The functional groups on the rubber chain terminals act as intermediaries between the rubber polymer and silica filler, facilitating better interaction and dispersion. These groups serve as chemical bridges that improve the interface bonding without requiring additional coupling agents
2Strength
If solution polymerization is used to adjust vinyl structure content and styrene content, then physical properties and coupling force with filler are improved, but additional coupling agents are required when using silica
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the rubber polymer itself multi-functional by incorporating reactive functional groups that can directly interact with silica filler. This eliminates the need for separate coupling agents, as the rubber chains themselves provide both structural properties and filler coupling functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the coupling agent function from the formulation and integrates it directly into the rubber polymer structure through functional group incorporation. This removes the need for separate coupling agent components while maintaining the coupling function
3Loss of energy
If natural rubbers or polyisoprene rubbers are used, then low hysteresis loss is achieved, but wet skid resistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure at the molecular level by incorporating functional groups into the polymer chains of conjugated diene-based rubbers. This modifies the material properties to achieve both low hysteresis loss and improved wet skid resistance, combining benefits that were previously mutually exclusive
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 polymer achieves excellent balance between rolling resistance, wet skid resistance, and abrasion resistance, with improved dispersibility and processability, reducing fuel consumption and enhancing mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
polymerizing a conjugated diene compound or copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound with an aromatic vinyl compound using an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound as a polymerisation initiator
Implementation Method 2
reacting a compound having a specific structure with the reactive end of the conjugated diene-based polymer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a modified conjugated diene-based polymer, and more particularly, provides a modified conjugated diene-based polymer which includes a repeating unit derived from a conjugated diene-based monomer and includes at one terminal, a functional group derived from a modifier which includes a compound represented by Formula 1, and a method for preparing the same.