Plasma Treatment of PET Reinforcing Element Lateral Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tyres with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) reinforcing elements experience impaired cornering stiffness at high side slip angles, leading to reduced handling effectiveness due to ridges on the lateral edges that act as rupture initiators at the interface with the elastomer matrix.
Innovation Solution
A process involving plasma treatment of the lateral edges of PET reinforcing elements to eliminate ridges, reduce microhardness, and enhance the interface with the elastomer matrix, improving cornering stiffness by modifying the thermoplastic polymer structure and increasing wettability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional PET reinforcing elements with flattened cross-section are used in tyre crown reinforcement, then the tyre structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but cornering stiffness deteriorates at high side slip angles due to ridge formation at lateral edges
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral edges of the reinforcing element are subjected to plasma treatment before being embedded in the elastomer matrix. This preliminary action eliminates ridges at the lateral edges and modifies the thermoplastic polymer structure, preventing ridge formation that would otherwise occur during tyre manufacturing and curing processes
Solution Approach 2:
Plasma treatment changes the physical and chemical parameters of the lateral edge region, including raising the temperature above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer to modify its structure, and increasing wettability to improve the interface with the elastomer matrix. These parameter changes prevent ridge formation and reduce the gradient of local stiffness
2Weight of moving object
If PET reinforcing elements are used instead of metal or textile cords, then weight is reduced and handling is improved, but cornering stiffness deteriorates at high stresses due to interface failure at lateral edges
Solution Approach 1:
Plasma treatment modifies the thermal and surface parameters of the lateral edges, raising the temperature above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer to alter its crystalline structure and increase wettability. This creates a stronger interface with the elastomer matrix, preventing the interface failure that would otherwise occur at high cornering stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical bonding interface between the reinforcing element and elastomer matrix with a chemically enhanced interface through plasma treatment. The plasma-modified surface creates better adhesion and stress distribution, substituting the purely mechanical interface with a chemically strengthened bond that resists high stress conditions
3Strength
If plasma treatment is applied to lateral edges to eliminate ridges, then cornering stiffness is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Plasma serves as an intermediary treatment that bridges the reinforcing element and the elastomer matrix. This intermediate plasma treatment layer modifies the lateral edge surface properties and polymer structure, facilitating better integration between the reinforcing element and matrix without requiring complex mechanical or chemical processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical ridge removal processes with plasma treatment. Instead of using mechanical means to eliminate ridges, the plasma process directly modifies the material structure and surface properties, achieving ridge elimination and interface improvement through a single, integrated treatment step
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 plasma-treated reinforcing elements enhance cornering stiffness and drift thrust, reducing shear forces and gradient of local stiffness, resulting in improved tyre performance even at high cornering stresses without ridge-induced failures.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the lateral edge is subjected to a plasma flow so as to raise the temperature of the part of the lateral edge above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer
Implementation Method 2
The process according to the invention comprises a step of heating at least a part of the lateral edge, during which at least a part of the lateral edge is subjected to a plasma flow
Implementation Method 3
raise the temperature of the part of the lateral edge above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer
Implementation Method 4
increasing wettability
Data Source
AI summary
A reinforcing element, having a cross section with a flattened overall shape and extending in a main direction and comprising at least one lateral edge made of a polymeric composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, the lateral edge extending in a general direction substantially parallel to the main direction is treated by heating at least a part of the lateral edge, during which at least a part of the lateral edge is subjected to a plasma flow so as to raise the temperature of the part of the lateral edge above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer.