Renewable Ester Plasticizers for Tire Tread Rubber Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for rubber compositions used in tire applications, particularly tire treads, that utilize plasticizers fully derived from renewable sources, as existing petroleum-based plasticizers pose health and environmental concerns and have limitations such as low viscosity and poor viscoelastic properties.
Innovation Solution
The use of trimer and dimer acid esters derived from renewable sources, specifically obtained through the esterification of trimer and dimer acids with alcohols, which replace traditional petroleum-based plasticizers like T-DAE and MES, providing enhanced mechanical and dynamic performances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If petroleum-based plasticizers (T-DAE, MES) are used in rubber compositions, then good processing and mechanical properties are achieved, but health and environmental concerns arise due to PAH content and non-renewable sourcing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using esters with specific viscosity ranges (50-500 cSt at 100°C) and molecular weight characteristics to replace petroleum-based plasticizers. This parameter optimization maintains performance while eliminating harmful PAH content and enabling renewable sourcing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite ester formulations combining different ester types (fatty acid esters, dicarboxylic acid esters, polyol esters) to achieve the desired balance of viscosity, plasticizing efficiency, and thermal stability, replacing single-component petroleum-based plasticizers with multi-component renewable ester systems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If vegetable oils are used as plasticizers, then renewable sourcing is achieved, but viscosity is too low and viscoelastic properties are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of vegetable oil-based esters by selecting esters with viscosity between 50-500 cSt at 100°C, molecular weights optimized for plasticizing efficiency, and specific chemical compositions (ester value, saponification value) to achieve both high viscosity and superior viscoelastic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite ester systems combining saturated and unsaturated esters, polyol esters and fatty acid esters, to achieve synergistic effects that simultaneously provide high viscosity, excellent plasticizing efficiency, and superior viscoelastic properties that single vegetable oil esters cannot achieve alone.
3Reliability
If modified vegetable oils (norbornylized, epoxidized) are used, then plasticizing properties are improved, but petroleum-based modifiers are introduced reducing renewable content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical parameters of unmodified vegetable oil esters by selecting esters with specific viscosity ranges, molecular weights, and chemical compositions that inherently provide excellent plasticizing properties without requiring petroleum-based modifications, thereby maintaining 100% renewable content.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive and non-renewable petroleum-based modifiers (norbornene, dicyclopentadiene) with renewable ester alternatives that provide comparable or superior plasticizing properties, eliminating the need for secondary modification steps and maintaining renewable purity.
4Reliability
If esterification of trimer and dimer acids with alcohols is performed, then renewable plasticizers with high viscosity and good viscoelastic properties are produced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-formed trimer and dimer acids as starting materials rather than performing oligomerization reactions in-house. These acids are commercially available from renewable sources, allowing the manufacturer to skip complex preliminary oligomerization steps and proceed directly to esterification, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining product performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses commercially available trimer and dimer acids as intermediary materials that bridge the gap between raw renewable feedstocks and final plasticizer products. These intermediaries are produced by specialized manufacturers using optimized processes, allowing end-users to perform simpler esterification reactions while benefiting from high-performance renewable plasticizers.
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
These trimer and dimer acid esters effectively replace traditional petroleum-based plasticizers, offering improved viscoelastic properties, higher viscosity, and better low-temperature performance, thus enhancing tire tread performance without compromising mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
esters derived from renewable sources resulting from the esterification of trimer and/or dimer acids
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rubber composition for tire applications comprising: rubber polymer(s) comprising at least optionally-functionalized styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and at least one rubber selected from polybutadiene rubber (BR), natural rubber (NR), polyisoprene rubber (IR) and mixtures thereof, and at least one ester derived from renewable sources resulting from the esterification of trimer and/or dimer acids having the formula A-(COOH)q, with q being 2 or 3 and A being an acyclic, cyclic or polycyclic, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon group having from 3 to 69 carbon atoms, with acyclic or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alcohols.