Resin-Modified Oil-Extended Rubber for Higher Traction Resin Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rubber processing techniques face challenges in incorporating hydrocarbon traction resins into high molecular weight synthetic rubbers, limiting their performance characteristics such as wet traction and chip/chunk resistance without compromising cured stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A method of dispersing hydrocarbon traction resin into the oil used in making oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers, allowing for higher resin incorporation levels, particularly in solution styrene-butadiene rubber, emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber, and other synthetic rubbers, to enhance tire tread compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mixing techniques are used to incorporate hydrocarbon traction resin into high molecular weight synthetic rubber, then the rubber can be processed with standard equipment, but the resin incorporation level is limited and wet traction performance cannot be sufficiently improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses oil as an intermediary medium to disperse and incorporate hydrocarbon traction resin into high molecular weight synthetic rubber. The resin is first mixed with the oil to form a homogeneous dispersion, which is then blended with the rubber. This intermediary approach allows for higher resin incorporation levels without compromising the processability of the high molecular weight rubber, thereby improving wet traction characteristics while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If higher levels of hydrocarbon traction resin are incorporated into synthetic rubber to improve wet traction, then wet traction characteristics are enhanced, but cured stiffness and chip/chunk resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of resin incorporation by controlling the resin-to-oil ratio, mixing conditions, and blending proportions. By adjusting these parameters, the patent achieves higher resin incorporation levels that improve wet traction while maintaining cured stiffness and chip/chunk resistance. The specific parameter optimization allows for maximum resin content without sacrificing the mechanical properties of the cured rubber.
3Reliability
If high molecular weight synthetic rubber is used to improve product performance characteristics, then reduced hysteresis and better durability are achieved, but the rubber becomes too tough to process using ordinary mixing techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs oil as an intermediary substance to facilitate the processing of high molecular weight synthetic rubber. The oil reduces the toughness and viscosity of the rubber during processing, making it easier to mix and incorporate resin. After processing and curing, the oil remains in the rubber phase, providing the benefits of oil extension while the high molecular weight rubber retains its superior performance characteristics including reduced hysteresis and improved durability.
4Ease of manufacture
If petroleum based oils are used for oil extension to improve processability, then the rubber can be easily processed and cost is reduced, but environmental sustainability and renewability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of oil type from conventional petroleum-based oils to vegetable-based oils. This substitution maintains the processability benefits of oil extension while improving environmental sustainability and renewability. The vegetable-based oils provide similar lubricating and viscosity-reducing effects during processing, enabling easy mixing and resin incorporation, while being renewable and environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum products.
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
This approach improves wet traction characteristics and maintains dry traction and chip/chunk resistance, making the resin modified oil extended rubbers suitable for various rubber products like tires, power transmission belts, and conveyor belts.
Implementation Method 1
A method of dispersing hydrocarbon traction resin into the oil used in making oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that a hydrocarbon traction resin can be dispersed into the oil used in making an oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers to attain improved performance characteristics. For instance, this technique allows for the hydrocarbon traction resin to be incorporated into the rubber at a higher level than would ordinarily be possible using conventional mixing techniques. In tire tread compounds this provides improved wet traction characteristics without compromising cured stiffness (dry traction) and ultimate properties (chip/chunk resistance). This technique can be used to incorporate a resin into virtually any synthetic rubber that can benefit from being oil extended. It is of particular value in making resin modified solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR), high cis-1.4-polybutadiene rubber, and synthetic polyisoprene rubber which are formulated for use in tire tread compounds.