Resin-Extended Diene Elastomer for Low-Stickiness Tire Mixing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High levels of plasticizing resins in rubber compositions lead to increased stickiness, causing processing issues such as material loss and reduced productivity due to adhesion to mixing tools, making it difficult to handle in conventional manufacturing equipment.

Innovation Solution

A synthetic diene elastomer extended with a plasticizing hydrocarbon resin, where the elastomer has a specific molecular weight range and is mixed in solution with the resin in an organic solvent, followed by a steam stripping process to create a resin-extended elastomer with improved processability, reducing stickiness and enhancing productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high levels of plasticizing resins are incorporated into rubber composition, then rolling resistance and grip properties are improved, but stickiness increases causing adhesion to mixing tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling resistance and gripVSAvoidstickiness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the diene elastomer to a specific range (250,000-450,000 g/mol) and controls the resin content (30-100 phr) to achieve optimal balance between stickiness reduction and maintaining rolling resistance/grip properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining diene elastomer with plasticizing hydrocarbon resin in specific proportions, where the composite exhibits reduced stickiness while maintaining the desired performance characteristics for tire application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high levels of plasticizing resins are used, then grip on dry and wet roads is improved, but material loss occurs due to adhesion to mixing equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip on dry and wet roadsVSAvoidmaterial loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By optimizing the molecular weight of the diene elastomer (250,000-450,000 g/mol) and the resin content (30-100 phr), the patent reduces material loss during mixing while preserving the grip performance on both dry and wet roads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high levels of plasticizing resins are incorporated, then rolling resistance is reduced, but productivity decreases due to frequent mixer stoppages for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling resistanceVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the elastomer molecular weight (250,000-450,000 g/mol) and resin content (30-100 phr) to reduce stickiness, thereby minimizing mixer stoppages for cleaning and improving productivity while maintaining low rolling resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary optimization of the composition parameters before mixing, selecting specific molecular weight ranges and resin contents that prevent excessive stickiness from the outset, avoiding the need for frequent interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If high levels of plasticizing resins are used, then grip properties are improved, but processability deteriorates in conventional mixing equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovegripVSAvoidprocessability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes key parameters including diene elastomer molecular weight (250,000-450,000 g/mol) and resin content (30-100 phr) to achieve a composition that is both easy to process in conventional equipment and maintains high grip performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 resin-extended elastomer exhibits lower adhesive capacity on mixing tools, allowing for improved processability and reduced chain stops for cleaning, thereby increasing productivity in tire manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

mixing the synthetic diene elastomer in solution in an organic solvent and the plasticizing hydrocarbon resin in the liquid state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

a steam stripping process to create a resin-extended elastomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3658386B1Resin-extended elastomer
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

The invention relates to a resin-extended elastomer, the elastomer of which is a synthetic diene elastomer having a number-average molar mass greater than or equal to 200,000 g/mol and the resin of which is a plasticizing hydrocarbon resin. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining such a resin-extended elastomer, and also to compositions, finished products for tyres and tyres containing same.