Thermoplastic Polyamide Tire Silane Coupling Agent Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires made from thermoplastic polymers face challenges in achieving strength due to silica aggregation, despite the use of coupling agents, which hinder the reinforcement effects and productivity in tire manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A tire composed of a thermoplastic polyamide-based elastomer, silica, and a silane coupling agent with specific functional groups, such as nitrogen, carboxyl, acid anhydride, or ureido groups, is used, ensuring a minimum 50% content of the thermoplastic polyamide-based elastomer in the resinous material to enhance dispersion and reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If silica is added to thermoplastic polymer to improve strength, then reinforcement is achieved, but silica aggregates form which reduce tire strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling agent as an intermediary substance between silica and thermoplastic polymer. The coupling agent has dual functionality: one end bonds with silica surface while the other end compatibilizes with the polymer matrix, thereby preventing silica aggregation and improving dispersion uniformity without compromising reinforcement effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of thermoplastic polymer, silica filler, and coupling agent. This composite approach allows the synergistic combination of materials where silica provides reinforcement, polymer provides matrix continuity, and coupling agent ensures interfacial adhesion, collectively achieving both strength improvement and uniform dispersion
2Strength
If conventional rubber materials are used in tire manufacturing, then tire strength is maintained, but multiple complex processes (kneading, seating, molding, vulcanizing) are required reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental material parameter from conventional rubber to thermoplastic polymer. This parameter change eliminates the need for vulcanization and simplifies the manufacturing process to extrusion and molding only, thereby improving productivity while maintaining tire strength through the optimized polymer-silica-coupling agent composite system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical crosslinking mechanism (vulcanization) with a physical mixing and molding process. The thermoplastic polymer allows for simple extrusion and injection molding without requiring complex vulcanization equipment and processes, substituting a simplified mechanical manufacturing system for the traditional multi-step chemical process
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 tire exhibits improved strength, particularly cracking resistance, and maintains excellent productivity through enhanced silica dispersion and reinforcement, simplifying the manufacturing process with improved formability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a silane coupling agent that has a functional group, the functional group comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, a carboxyl group, an acid anhydride, and a ureido group
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A tire comprising a tire frame that is formed of a resinous material and has a circular form, the resinous material including a thermoplastic polyamide-based elastomer, silica, and a silane coupling agent that has a functional group, the functional group including at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, a carboxyl group, an acid anhydride, and a ureido group.