Modified Conjugated Diene Polymer for Tire Rubber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rubber materials for tires face limitations in achieving optimal wet skid resistance, abrasion resistance, and rotation resistance while maintaining low hysteresis loss, particularly due to the poor affinity and dispersibility of silica fillers with rubber, which requires additional silane coupling agents.
Innovation Solution
A modified conjugated diene-based polymer is developed, incorporating a functional group derived from a specific modifier represented by Formula 1, which enhances the affinity with fillers and improves compounding properties, thereby achieving excellent tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and wet skid resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silica is used as reinforcing filler to improve wet skid resistance and low hysteresis loss, then wet skid resistance is improved, but affinity with rubber and dispersibility deteriorate due to hydrophilic surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a modifier compound as an intermediary substance that reacts with both the rubber chain terminals and silica filler surface. This modifier contains functional groups that can bond to rubber while also providing affinity for silica, thereby mediating the interaction between rubber and filler without requiring separate coupling agents. The modifier acts as a bridge that improves both affinity and dispersibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the rubber molecule by introducing functional groups at the chain terminals through reaction with the modifier. This changes the surface chemistry and bonding characteristics of the rubber, enabling better interaction with silica filler. The modification of chemical parameters allows the rubber to achieve both improved affinity and dispersibility with the hydrophilic silica surface.
2Strength
If separate silane coupling agent is used to improve silica-rubber bonding, then bonding characteristics are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the rubber modifier and silica coupling agent into a single integrated modifier compound. This unified substance simultaneously performs the role of modifying rubber chain terminals and providing coupling functionality for silica, eliminating the need for separate silane coupling agents and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining bonding characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The modifier compound is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a rubber terminal modifier and as a silica coupling agent. This universal substance performs multiple functions that were previously required separate additives, thereby simplifying the compounding process while achieving the desired silica-rubber bonding characteristics.
3Use of energy by moving object
If vinyl content is increased to control glass transition temperature and reduce rotation resistance, then fuel consumption is reduced, but wet skid resistance and abrasion resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by introducing functional groups specifically at the chain terminals of the rubber molecules rather than changing the bulk vinyl content. This localized modification at the terminal regions allows the main chain structure to maintain appropriate vinyl content for fuel economy while the terminal groups provide enhanced bonding for wet skid resistance and abrasion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure at the molecular level by combining the base rubber polymer with terminal functional groups derived from the modifier. This composite molecular structure allows the material to simultaneously achieve low rotation resistance (through controlled vinyl content in the main chain) and high wet skid resistance (through functional groups at the terminals that enhance bonding with silica).
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 exhibits improved processability, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and wet skid resistance, along with enhanced filler affinity, leading to better rotation resistance properties and reduced fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a modified conjugated diene-based polymer including a repeating unit derived from a conjugated diene-based monomer, and a functional group derived from a modifier
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a modifier which is useful for modifying a conjugated diene-based polymer, has excellent affinity with a filler and may improve the compounding properties of a conjugated diene-based polymer, a modified conjugated diene-based polymer including a functional group derived from the modifier, and a method for preparing the polymer, and provides a modified conjugated diene-based polymer including a repeating unit derived from a conjugated diene-based monomer and a functional group derived from a modifier represented by Formula 1 in at least one terminal thereof.