RI-Plot Analysis of Wax Components for Ozone-Resistant Rubber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for optimizing wax in rubber compositions to enhance ozone resistance often affect tire properties other than ozone resistance, such as fuel economy and ride quality, making it difficult to achieve balanced improvements.

Innovation Solution

The use of RI-plot in chromatography analysis to visualize structural isomers in waxes and rubber compositions, enabling easy detection and specification of hydrocarbon components like normal alkanes, isoalkanes, and alkanes with cyclic structures, which are then incorporated into rubber compositions to enhance ozone resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If modifications are made to polymer backbones to improve ozone resistance, then ozone resistance is improved, but other tire properties such as fuel economy and ride quality are significantly affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone resistanceVSAvoidfuel economy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the approach to improving ozone resistance by separating wax optimization from polymer backbone modification. By focusing specifically on wax composition analysis and optimization using RI-plot chromatography, the invention isolates the ozone resistance improvement mechanism from other tire performance factors, allowing targeted enhancement without compromising fuel economy or ride quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing only the wax component's molecular structure (specifically the ratio of normal alkanes to isoalkanes) rather than modifying the entire polymer backbone. This localized optimization affects primarily the ozone resistance property while leaving other tire characteristics unchanged

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If modifications are made to polymer backbones to improve ozone resistance, then ozone resistance is improved, but other tire properties such as ride quality are significantly affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone resistanceVSAvoidride quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the optimization target to exclusively focus on wax composition rather than polymer backbone modification. By using RI-plot chromatography to analyze and optimize wax components, the solution isolates the ozone resistance improvement from ride quality affecting mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes only the local wax component properties (molecular structure, normal/isoalkane ratio) rather than modifying the polymer backbone. This localized approach targets ozone resistance specifically while preserving the polymer's mechanical properties that affect ride quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If chromatography analysis is performed without RI-plot to identify wax components, then analysis is simpler, but structural isomers cannot be easily visualized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisualization of structural isomersVSAvoidchromatography analysis method
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RI-plot as an additional dimensional representation of chromatography data. By plotting retention index against peak area or concentration, the invention creates a two-dimensional visualization that separates structural isomers based on their retention behavior, making them easily distinguishable without increasing the physical complexity of the chromatography system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 allows for the production of rubber compositions with excellent ozone resistance by identifying and utilizing specific hydrocarbon components, thereby improving tire performance without adversely affecting other properties.

Implementation Method 1

The use of RI-plot in chromatography analysis to visualize structural isomers in waxes and rubber compositions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChromatography: Chromatography

Data Source

PatentEP4641191A1Method for analyzing wax or rubber composition, and rubber composition
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4641191A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4641191A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4641191A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

Provided are a method for analyzing a wax or a rubber composition that can easily visualize components such as structural isomers, and a rubber composition with excellent ozone resistance. The disclosure relates to a method for analyzing a wax or a rubber composition by chromatography, the chromatography being analyzed using RI-plot.